Question

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.

When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs,
The instant burst of clamour that she made—
Unless things mortal move them not at all—
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,
And passion in the gods.

What does the excerpt about Hecuba suggest about her state of mind?

She is confused by the sight of her murdered husband.
She is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband.
She is unaffected by the sight of her murdered husband.
She is joyful at the sight of her murdered husband.

Answer 1

B.

She is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The correct answer is B. she is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband.

When Hecuba's husband was murdered, she was terrified, which is evident by the following line: The instant burst of clamour that she made. This means that she started screaming upon seeing her dead husband.

The reason why this excerpt was included in Hamlet was to show the difference between Hecuba's reaction to her husband's death, and that of Gertrude when her husband was murdered.