ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The events narrated by Shakespeare in his tragedy Hamlet1 are the following: King Hamlet of Denmark dies suddenly and his brother Claudius a few weeks later marries the widow, his sister-in-law, Queen Gertrude; according to the official explanation, a snakebite was the cause of his death.

Detailed explanation-2: -Remember that Claudius killed King Hamlet by pouring poison into his ear. Shakespeare continually illustrates that words can function as poison in the ear as well. As the ghost says in Act I, scene v, Claudius has poisoned “the whole ear of Denmark” with his words (I.v.36).

Detailed explanation-3: -Claudius convinces Laertes to put poison on the tip of his sword to cut Hamlet in the duel. To ensure Hamlet’s death, Claudius also has a poisoned cup of wine should Hamlet win the duel. Claudius does not intervene when Gertrude drinks the poisoned cup of wine because he does not want to give himself away.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hamlet, in a fury, runs Claudius through with the poisoned sword and forces him to drink down the rest of the poisoned wine. Claudius dies crying out for help.

Detailed explanation-5: -Old Hamlet, the king, tells his son that his brother, Claudius, poisoned him in the garden by pouring poison into his ear.