Question

Read Hamlet’s description of his mother from Act III of Hamlet.

And melt in her own fire: proclaim no shame
When the compulsive ardour gives the charge,
Since frost itself as actively doth burn,
And reason panders will.

What motif is used in these lines?

heat and coldness
love and hate
mother-child relationships
passionate relationships

Answer 1

heat and coldness

Hamlet uses thermal imagery—fire, melt, frost, burn—to contrast passion and restraint (ardour vs. reason).