Question

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

Answer 1

a duel between Laertes and Hamlet

Answer 2

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.