Unit Test — Unit test

Question 21 • IDEAL English 12 Q2 2025-2026 (Farina)

Read the excerpt from Act IV of Hamlet.Hamlet: Rightly to be great Is not to stir without great argument, But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honour’s at the stake.

Answer

Shakespeare utilizes the repetition of “great” to help illustrate Hamlet’s lack of a main point.

By repeating the same word, Shakespeare shows that Hamlet is not sure of his point.

Shakespeare capitalizes on the multiple meanings of “great” to help emphasize Hamlet’s point.

By using a word with multiple meanings, Shakespeare shows that Hamlet is not good at making his point.

Explanation

Shakespeare repeats “great” while shifting its meaning: it can suggest importance or nobility, and “greatly” means acting with greatness of spirit. This wordplay emphasizes Hamlet’s point that true greatness is not acting over a major cause, but being willing to defend one’s honor even over something seemingly small, “a straw.” The repetition therefore strengthens his argument rather than showing that he lacks one.

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