Question

Which statement best explains why Hamlet alludes to Pyrrhus throughout Act II, Scene ii of Hamlet?

A.The allusion highlights the idea of avenging a father’s murder.
B.The allusion proves that Claudius killed Hamlet’s father.
C.The allusion emphasizes the idea of a mother’s betrayal.
D.The allusion suggests that Hamlet imagined his father’s ghost.

Answer 1

Which statement best explains why Hamlet alludes to Pyrrhus throughout Act II, Scene ii of Hamlet?

And the correct answer A. The allusion highlights the idea of avenging a father’s murder.
The wrong answer is B, C, and D.


It will help you.

Answer 2

Answer: A.The allusion highlights the idea of avenging a father’s murder.

In the myth of the Trojan War, we learn of Pyrrhus, son of Achilles. Pyrrhus ends up killing Priam, the King of Troy himself, who was responsible for the war, and therefore, the death of his father Achilles. Pyrrhus is delighted to avenge the death of his father and does so in front of Hecuba, Priam's wife.

Hamlet uses this story to show that his intention is to similarly avenge his father's death by killing Claudius, who is also a king. In this comparison, Claudius is Priam, Hamlet is Pyrrhus and Gertrude is Hecuba.