Question

Read the following extract and answer the questions:

‘For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, Th' oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, The pangs of despised love.’

1. What are the situations mentioned here that force one to end one’s life?
2. Identify the figure of speech in the first line and explain.

Answer 1

1. The situations mentioned are the hardships and injustices of life, such as oppression, insults from proud people, and the pain of rejected or unrequited love. Hamlet wonders why people should continue to bear such suffering.
2. The figure of speech in the first line is metaphor. The phrase “whips and scorns of time” compares the difficulties, hardships and humiliations of life to whips and scorns that cause pain and suffering.