Final answer:
Laertes uses the metaphor of a human body to describe the nation-state of Denmark, implying the interdependent nature of its parts and the crucial role of the head, Prince Hamlet, in decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the passage provided, Laertes uses a metaphor to describe the nation-state of Denmark.The correct metaphor that Laertes uses is that of a human body. This metaphor is evident in the lines where he mentions that Prince Hamlet cannot make choices just as any "unvalued persons" because the "safety and health of this whole state" rely on his decisions, and he is positioned as the head of this body - the state.
The use of the body metaphor implies that Denmark, as a nation-state, operates like a human body, with various parts dependent on each other and the head (Prince Hamlet, in this case) being crucial for guiding decisions affecting the entire state.