Question

during the first part of the play, polonius is convinced that hamlets letters to ophelia and his behavior during their meeting is ______________.

• the result of his mothers speedy remarriage
• the effect of his fathers death
• rooted in lovesickness
• entirely fake

Explanation:

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Polonius interprets Hamlet's letters to Ophelia and his behavior during their meeting as being caused by lovesickness. He believes Hamlet is lovesick for Ophelia, so he thinks Hamlet's actions stem from that romantic longing. The other options: the mother's remarriage is more associated with Hamlet's general anguish but not Polonius's view here; the father's death is a broader context but not Polonius's specific take on these actions; and Polonius does not think Hamlet's behavior is entirely fake.

Answer:

C. rooted in lovesickness