Question

Laertes: For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour,

Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,

A violet in the youth of primy nature,

Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,

The perfume and suppliance of a minute;

No more.

–Hamlet,
William Shakespeare

Which phrases in the passage provide clues that trifling means "silliness” or "insignificance”? Check all that apply.

“a toy”
“in blood”
“not permanent”
“his favour”
“not lasting”

Answer 1

Selected: “a toy”, “not permanent”, “not lasting”

Reasons:
- “a toy” implies something childish or not serious, matching “silliness/insignificance.”
- “not permanent” and “not lasting” both directly state the idea of being temporary/insignificant.

“in blood” describes youthful impulse, and “his favour” names what’s being discussed, but neither directly signals “trifling” means silly or insignificant.