Read the passage from Hamlet, Act III, Scene iv. Gertrude: What wilt thou do? thou wilt not murder me? Help, help, (h)o! Polonius: [Behind.] What, (h)o! help! help! help! Hamlet: [Draws.] How now! a rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead! [Makes a pass through the arras.] Polonius: [Behind.] O! I am slain. Gertrude: O me! what hast thou done? Hamlet: Nay, I know not: is it the king? Gertrude: O! what a rash and bloody deed is this!

Which element of tragedy does Shakespeare most develop in this passage?
a.)conflict among characters
b.)suspense in the plot
c.)hero overcoming tragedy
d.)unhappy ending for the main character

a) conflict among characters.

Explanation:

In Hamlet, the conflict begins when the prince (Hamlet) is visited by the ghost of his dead father, who informs him that he was killed by Claudio. Hamlet must avenge his father's death and that is why he develops a plan to kill Claudio (his uncle) who also has a romantic relationship with Gertrude (Hamlet's mother).

In this passage from Hamlet, he is arguing with his mother (who thinks his son wants to kill her) and Polonio is watching Hamlet hidden behind a curtain because he thinks he has gone mad. When Gertrude asks for help, Polonio cries and Hamlet kills him thinking he was Claudio (his mother's lover).

b) There is no suspense. Hamlet's mistake was discovered and the work continued.

c) The hero (Hamlet) has not overcome the tragedy. The work is not over.

d) There is no unhappy ending for the main character in this passage.

Correct a) conflict among characters.

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