Question
Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.
Hamlet: I’ll observe his looks;
I’ll tent him to the quick: if he but blench
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
May be the devil: and the devil hath power
To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps
Out of my weakness and my melancholy—
As he is very potent with such spirits—
Abuses me to damn me. I’ll have grounds
More relative than this: the play’s the thing
Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.
Which accurately and objectively summarizes the theme that is developed by Hamlet’s thought process in this passage?
It’s best to make quick, definitive judgments.
Indecision is a cowardly act.
Always give family the benefit of the doubt.
The truth will set you free.
Hamlet: I’ll observe his looks;
I’ll tent him to the quick: if he but blench
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
May be the devil: and the devil hath power
To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps
Out of my weakness and my melancholy—
As he is very potent with such spirits—
Abuses me to damn me. I’ll have grounds
More relative than this: the play’s the thing
Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.
Which accurately and objectively summarizes the theme that is developed by Hamlet’s thought process in this passage?
It’s best to make quick, definitive judgments.
Indecision is a cowardly act.
Always give family the benefit of the doubt.
The truth will set you free.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
"The truth will set you free."
Hamlet refuses to act on the ghost alone (it "may be the devil") and resolves to seek concrete evidence — the play "wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king" — so he pursues truth to remove doubt and justify decisive action.
Hamlet refuses to act on the ghost alone (it "may be the devil") and resolves to seek concrete evidence — the play "wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king" — so he pursues truth to remove doubt and justify decisive action.
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