Read the passage from Act V of Hamlet. Hamlet: ... that’s the French bet against the Danish. Why is this ‘imponed,’ as you call
it? Osric: The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him [Laertes], he shall not exceed you three hits; he hath laid on twelve for nine, and it would come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer. Hamlet: How if I answer no? Osric: I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. What is the topic of the passage? a game between the French and Hamlet a wager between Osric and Hamlet a fight between Claudius and Hamlet a duel between Laertes and Hamlet
The topic of the passage is a duel between Laertes and Hamlet.
The King Claudius has bet that Hamlet can beat Laertes in a duel. Hamlet has killed Polonius unintenionally, so Laertes is wiling to fight with him in order to avenge the death of his father. Meanwhile, it is a good opportunity for Claudius to eliminate Hamlet, who suspects he has murdered his father to become king and marry his mother.
Tone is and attitude toward the writer. It conveys through the choice of words, or the viewpoint of a particular subject. It can be formal or informal, serious, cheerful or sad.
