Hamlet 3.4 Language: "Act" and "Index"

The transcript discusses how Hamlet raises his voice to Gertrude, and the use of the word 'index' as a metaphor for a list of images. It also explores Gertrude's pun on the word 'act', relating it to the structure of Shakespeare's plays, which are divided into acts. The term 'index' is further explained as a prelude or introduction to the act that follows.

What does the phrase 'in the index' refer to in Hamlet's dialogue?

• A list of locations

• A list of scenes

• A list of characters

• A list of metaphorical images

How many acts are Shakespeare's plays typically divided into?

• Three

• Six

• Four

• Five

What is Gertrude suggesting when she mentions a 'loud index'?

• A noisy argument

• A prelude to the act

• A summary of events

• A list of complaints