Question 1: What is the main emotional state expressed by Ophelia in this extract?

Answer: She is distressed and mournful, expressing feelings of loss and despair.

Question 2: Identify one literary technique used by Shakespeare in the phrase 'the glass of fashion and the mould of form' and explain its effect.

Answer: Metaphor; it compares society's ideals to a mould, emphasising Ophelia's sense of loss of societal standing or identity.

Question 3: Which words in the extract suggest Ophelia's loss of control and her emotional breakdown?

Answer: Words like 'jangled', 'unpleased', 'fear', 'despair', 'melt', and 'forget' indicate her emotional turmoil.

Question 4: How does Shakespeare’s use of imagery in this speech enhance our understanding of Ophelia's mental state?

Answer: Imagery such as 'sweet bells jangled' and 'her fear' creates a vivid picture of her inner chaos and emotional distress, deepening our empathy and highlighting her vulnerable state.

Question 5: Describe how Shakespeare uses tone in Ophelia’s speech and what this reveals about her character.

Answer: The tone is mournful and distraught, revealing her deep emotional suffering and her perception of her mental disintegration.

Question 6: What does the phrase 'walks on the tops of her fear, and her despair' metaphorically suggest about Ophelia’s mental state?

Answer: It suggests she is overwhelmed by her fears and despair, as if she is teetering on the edge of insanity.

Question 7: Identify and explain one stage direction in the extract that indicates Ophelia's fragility.

Answer: Words like 'quite, quite down' suggest her emotional collapse and fragility.

Question 8: Write a brief paragraph analysing how Ophelia’s language helps portray her mental breakdown.

Answer: Ophelia’s language, with its metaphors and emotive words, vividly depicts her mental breakdown. Phrases like 'melts the poor girl’s heart' and 'walks on the tops of her fear' convey her internal chaos and loss of control, making her emotional suffering palpable to the audience.

Question 9: Creative Writing: Imagine you are Ophelia after this speech. Write a short monologue (about 20 lines) expressing her thoughts and feelings.

Answer: Students should focus on expressing Ophelia’s inner turmoil, confusion, and despair, using poetic language and imagery to reflect her mental state.