Question

Which statement best explains why Shakespeare alludes to the story of Pyrrhus and Priam throughout Act II, Scene ii of Hamlet?

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer option is: The allusion highlights ideas that relate to the murder of King Hamlet.

Explanation:

Shakespeare alludes to the story of Pyrrhus and Priam throughout Act II, in Scene II of Hamlet since the allusion highlights ideas that relate to the murder of King Hamlet.

Priam, the King of Troy himself, got killed by Pyrrhus, who was responsible for the war and for the death of his father Achilles. This story is used by Hamlet to show that Pyrrhus's intention is to similarly avenge his father's death by killing the King Claudius.

Answer 2

Hi!

The statement that best explains this is:

The allusion highlights ideas that relate to the murder of King Hamlet.

We see that in the myth of the Trojan War, Pyrrhus eventually kills Priam (the King of Troy). Pyrrhus was elated to have done this deed, and that to with Priam's wife, Hecuba, beholding the sight. Priam had caused the war that had eventually resulted in he death of Pyrrhus's father, Achilles, and so by killing him, Pyrrhus was successful in avenging his father.

The reason Hamlet alludes as this particular story is to establish that his motive is similar to that of Pyrrhus's in that Hamlet seeks to avenge the death of his father by killing the King, Claudius, in the presence of his own mother, and Claudius's wife, Gertrude.

So just to be clear, the hints at the following roles:

Hamlet as Pyrrhus

Claudius as Priam

Gertrude as Hecuba