ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Although he doesn’t have a dramatic function he appears in two scenes and has a speaking part. He is sent by the king, Claudius, to invite Hamlet to a fencing duel with Laertes, during which they plan to murder him. Osric then presides over the duel scene and acts as the referee.

Detailed explanation-2: -Laertes and Hamlet fence for a moment until Hamlet asks for a judgment call from Osric the referee. Osric proclaims a hit in Hamlet’s favor, and Claudius holds up Hamlet’s goblet and takes a drink.

Detailed explanation-3: -Osric is a minor yet important character in Hamlet. Osric first appears in Act V, Scene ii. He was sent by the king, to invite Hamlet to a duel with Laertes, during which the conspirators plan to murder Hamlet. Osric presides over the duel and acts as referee.

Detailed explanation-4: -Whilst at sea, Hamlet sentenced Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to death. The King arranges a fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes. During the bout, Laertes scratches Hamlet with a poisoned sword and is in turn fatally wounded with it; Gertrude drinks from a poisoned cup, prepared by the King for Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.