Read the excerpt from Act IV of Hamlet.Gentleman: She speaks much of her father; says she hears There's tricks i' the world; and hems, and beats her heart; Spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt, That carry but half sense: her speech is nothing . . .Horatio: 'Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.Gertrude: Let her come in. [Exit Gentleman.] To my sick soul, as sin's true nature is, Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss: So full of artless jealousy is guilt, It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.
Answer
A
by introducing her maternal kindness toward Ophelia
B
by resolving readers’ concerns about Ophelia’s madness
C
by reaching a height of conflict as Gertrude decides to punish Ophelia
D
by suggesting that Ophelia’s madness is a sign of greater troubles
Explanation
Ophelia’s strange, fragmented speech and behavior make Horatio worry that she may spread “dangerous conjectures.” Gertrude then admits that her guilty conscience makes even small things seem like signs of a great disaster. The scene therefore suggests Ophelia’s madness may point to greater troubles, rather than resolving concerns about her or showing Gertrude decide to punish her.
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