Read the following passage from T. S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" (1915):
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use,
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—
Almost, at times, the Fool.
In the first line of the passage, the speaker's allusion to Prince Hamlet serves primarily to highlight which aspect of the speaker's character?
- Self-perception as a minor, inconsequential figure rather than a tragic protagonistAnswer
- BDesire to emulate Hamlet's heroic actions and assert dominance over his peers
- CRegret as the poet reflects on his own personal failure to write successful stage plays
- DUse of dramatic references to showcase his familiarity with theatrical history
- EBelief that he is a highly respected, authoritative guide whose advice is valued by nobility
Answer
Self-perception as a minor, inconsequential figure rather than a tragic protagonist
The correct option correctly identifies that the speaker uses the allusion to Prince Hamlet to establish a contrast. By declaring that he is not Prince Hamlet and instead comparing himself to a minor 'attendant lord,' the speaker highlights his own feelings of mediocrity and insignificance. Hamlet, though indecisive, is a figure of tragic grandeur, whereas the speaker sees himself as a minor player, an 'easy tool,' or even 'the Fool.'
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Analyzing the function and thematic contribution of allusions in poetry