Question

Hamlet interacts with osric in act 5, scene 2. what function does this interaction have in the play?

Answer 1

The interaction of Hamlet and Osric is to provide a comic relief to the play.

Step-by-step explanation:

William Shakespeare's tragedy play "Hamlet" is about the revenge of the death of the senior Hamlet at the hands of his brother Claudius. The young prince Hamlet was instigated and made known by his father's ghost about the murder which brought forth the whole sequence of the play.

Act V scene ii of the play shows the interaction of Hamlet with Osric, a courtier. The courtier had been sent by the king Claudius to tell him about the bet he had made regarding the duel of Hamlet and Leartes. Claudius and Leartes had planned a duel where Hamlet would be killed. Osric was the messenger/ relayer of information. We can also deduce from this scene that he will do anything to make a place for himself, and that his position in the king's court matters to him more than anything. But with the way Hamlet responds and plays down his words provides a humorous tone to the serious issue of the impending duel. This interaction gives a much needed comic relief in between the whole play.

Answer 2

it provides comic relief

Step-by-step explanation:

Hamlet spends a great deal of the interaction bothered with Osric's hat and talks to Horatio about how he is important for being the owner of a lot of dirt.

"HAMLET : (speaking so that only HORATIO can hear) You’re lucky, since knowing him is most unpleasant. He owns a lot of good land. Give an animal a lot of money, and he’ll be welcome at the king’s table. He’s a j*rk, but he owns a whole lot of dirt, so he’s treated well."

Horatio also implies that Osric is not very smart.

"HORATIO : (speaking so that only HAMLET can hear) All his fancy language has run out finally; his pockets are empty."