Hamlet, Part 6: Applying Literary Criticism

Question 1

Read each statement about Hamlet, and identify the critical lens the reader used to view the text.

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The motif of blood in the play highlights the destructive nature of revenge.: formalist lens; Because Queen Elizabeth did not have an heir, audiences in Shakespeare’s time would likely have been interested in Hamlet’s focus on succession.: historical lens; Gertrude does what Claudius tells her to do because she has little power as a woman living in a male-dominated society.: feminist lens

Question 2

formalist lensfeminist lenshistorical lens

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historical lens

Question 3

formalist lensfeminist lenshistorical lens

Revolt · Accepted Answer

feminist lens

Question 4

formalist lensfeminist lenshistorical lens

Revolt · Accepted Answer

formalist lens; Selection 1: formalist lens; Selection 2: historical lens; Selection 3: feminist lens

Question 5

What is the central motif in the passage?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

disease and decay

Question 6

How does the motif of disease and decay in this passage relate to a larger theme in the play?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It reminds the audience that the government of Denmark is rotten and corrupt.

Hamlet, Part 6: Applying Literary Criticism Answers

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