ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -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.

Detailed explanation-2: -Laertes selects the poisoned and sharpened rapier, and the two go at it. When Claudius offers Hamlet the poisoned goblet of wine, Hamlet refuses, and Gertrude picks up the cup instead. Toasting Hamlet, she drinks the poison, ensuring her eventual death.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hebenon is the agent of death in Hamlet’s father’s murder; it sets in motion the events of the play. It is spelled hebona in the Quartos and hebenon in the Folios. This is the only mention of hebona or hebenon in any of Shakespeare’s plays. All my smooth body.

Detailed explanation-4: -Act 4, scene 7 Claudius gets a letter from Hamlet announcing the prince’s return. Claudius enlists Laertes’s willing help in devising another plot against Hamlet’s life. Laertes agrees to kill Hamlet with a poisoned rapier in a fencing match. If he fails, Claudius will give Hamlet a poisoned cup of wine.

Detailed explanation-5: -The fight turns more violent and Hamlet mortally wounds Laertes in return. Gertrude succumbs to the poisoned wine and dies. Hamlet forces Claudius to drink the poisoned wine, killing him as well.