Read the excerpt from Act IV of Hamlet. Claudius: He made confession of you, And gave you such a masterly report For art and exe
rcise in your defence, And for your rapier most especially, That he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed If one could match you; the scrimers of their nation, He swore, had neither motion, guard, nor eye, If you oppos'd them. Sir, this report of his Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy That he could nothing do but wish and beg Your sudden coming o'er, to play with him. Now, out of this,— Laertes: What out of this, my lord? Claudius: Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, Why does Shakespeare include this plot event? to establish Claudius’s respect for Laertes to illustrate Claudius’s skills of manipulation to showcase Claudius’s wartime experience to present Claudius’s interest in competition
B - to illustrate Claudius's skills of manipulation
Explanation:
Shakespere's use of this plot event showcases Claudius's manipulation when he compliments Laertes use of the rapier and no one could match him them asks him for something.
Answer: to illustrate Claudius's skills of manipulation
Explanation: In this excerpt of Act IV, Scene VII, of "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark", Shakespeare includes this plot event <u><em>to illustrate Claudius's skills of manipulation</em></u>. Claudius tells Laertes that Hamlet has been jealous of his use of the rapier, and then he nearly forces Laertes to duel with Hamlet and kill him with a poisoned sword instead of the bladeless rapier. To be sure of Hamlet's death he will add poison to a cup he will offer Hamlet if he outlives the duel.
