Final answer:
Hamlet uses the metaphor of a chameleon to indicate that, like the creature that changes colors for camouflage, he too is hiding his true emotions and intentions. The correct answer is A: Chameleons can change their appearance to hide what they really are, aligning with Hamlet's use of deceit in the play.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the protagonist uses the image of a chameleon to express his current state of mind. When Hamlet says, "I eat the air, promise-crammed," he is using a double entendre and referencing the belief that chameleons could survive on air. The correct option that explains why Hamlet might have used a chameleon to explain how he is doing is A. Chameleons can change their appearance to hide what they really are. This metaphor subtly implies that Hamlet is adapting his behavior and disguising his true feelings, in much the same way as a chameleon changes its color to blend into the environment.
The notion that chameleons feed on air is a misconception from the time, and here it serves to illustrate Hamlet's sarcastic remark on how he is sustaining himself on false promises and insubstantial words, just as the chameleon is wrongly thought to live on nothing but air. His words are an ironic comment on his current situation, where substantial nourishment is as lacking as proper action, and they reflect the corrupt nature of the royal court of Denmark. The metaphor also aligns with the themes of deception and appearance versus reality that are prevalent throughout the play.