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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

formalist lensfeminist lens✔ historical lens

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ historical lens

Question 3

formalist lens✔ feminist lenshistorical lens

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ feminist lens

Question 4

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

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 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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