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When Hamlet goes to "speak daggers" to Gertrude in Act III, which of the following lines best reveals his feelings toward her?

a. "Frailty, thy name is woman!"
b. "You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife, and—would it were not so!—you are my mother."
c. "A combination and a form indeed where every god did seem to set his seal."
d. "Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge."

User Maltie
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

The line that best reveals Hamlet's feelings toward Gertrude in Act III is when he refers to her as the queen and his mother, highlighting his conflicting emotions and deep-seated disappointment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Hamlet goes to "speak daggers" to Gertrude in Act III, the line that best reveals his feelings toward her is: "You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife, and—would it were not so!—you are my mother." This line showcases Hamlet's conflicting emotions towards Gertrude. On the one hand, he acknowledges her position as the queen and the wife of his uncle, Claudius. On the other hand, he expresses distress over her relation to him as his mother, hinting at his deep-seated disappointment and disgust. His feelings are further explained as stemming from his perception of Gertrude's actions not being an adequate equivalent to evoke such disgust, indicating that his dissatisfaction stems from something deeper and more profound than just her remarriage.

User Davidjhp
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The correct answer is option B, which is the line, "You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife, and—would it were not so!—you are my mother." This line from Hamlet best reveals his conflicted emotions towards Gertrude when he refers to her as the queen, his uncle's wife, and lamentably, his mother. His complex emotions exceed the facts and hamper his ability to act, embodying a deep sense of disgust and disillusionment.

When Hamlet goes to "speak daggers" to Gertrude in Act III, the line that best reveals his feelings toward her is : "You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife, and—would it were not so!—you are my mother."

This line captures his conflict and disgust : she is his mother, yet she has disappointed him by marrying his uncle.

Hamlet's feelings are complex; he feels betrayal and resentment, yet he acknowledges her status with a painful exclamation.

Hamlet's complex emotions towards his mother cannot be fully conveyed by any single action, as the disgust and disillusionment he feels envelop and exceed her character.

Literary critics assert that his feelings are intense, inexpressible, and not equivalent to the actual facts, leaving him in a state of bafflement and inaction.

Perhaps, no action or plot device can adequately encapsulate the depth of Hamlet's suffering and the indefinite quality of his sentiments stemming from his mother's perceived guilt and character.

So, the line conveys Hamlet's complex emotions and internal conflict regarding his mother's marriage to his uncle. It expresses his disapproval and emotional turmoil about the situation.

User Ambreen
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