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In describing his marriage to his former sister-in-law, Claudius pairs a number of opposites such as "defeated joy," "mirth in funeral," and "dirge in marriage." This language suggests that Claudius views his marriage to Gertrude as an attempt to __________.

User Vadchen
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Answer: C) balance the bad with the good in Denmark .

Step-by-step explanation:

As Hamlet faces the death of his father, his uncle Claudius prepares to marry his late brother's wife, Gertrude.

Hamlet clearly sees that this marriage is not a right thing to do, and states that:

''She married:— O, most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!''

However, Claudius tries to make this awkward situation better, and to somehow balance the sorrow for his brother' death and the joy of getting married. He, logically, fails to do so, as it is completely unnatural to marry one's former sister-in-law. Claudius uses contradictory phrases in his speech, such as “defeated joy” ,“an auspicious and a dropping eye”, etc. What Shakespeare wanted to accomplish with pairing the opposites is to emphasize how immoral Claudius is.

User Charu Maheshwari
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