Question

read the excerpt from act iv of hamlet. hamlet: rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument. but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honours at the stake. what is the most likely reason shakespeare repeats great and greatly? shakespeare utilizes the repetition of great to help illustrate hamlets lack of a main point. by repeating the same word, shakespeare shows that hamlet is not sure of his point. shakespeare capitalizes on the multiple meanings of great to help emphasize hamlets point. by using a word with multiple meanings, shakespeare shows that hamlet is not good at making his point.

Explanation:

Shakespeare often used words with multiple - meanings for emphasis. Here, "great" can mean both of high status and of large degree. Repeating it emphasizes Hamlet's point about true greatness and when to take action.

Answer:

Shakespeare capitalizes on the multiple meanings of "great" to help emphasize Hamlet's point.