In Hamlet, what are three metaphors used in Act 4 Scene 1?

In this important scene in the play, Gertrude narrates to
her new husband, Claudius, what happened when she attempted to reason with Hamlet, her
son, herself, whilst Polonius listened behind a tapestry. Of course, Polonius is killed
by Hamlet as Hamlet hears someone eavesdropping and assumes it is his
Uncle.

Interestingly, this passage contains far more
examples of similes than metaphors, and I assume this is what you are trying to
identify. Remember that both similes and metaphors are comparisons, but the only
difference is that similes compare one thing to another with the words "like" or
"as".

Gertrude describes her son's state of mind to her new
husband as:

readability="7">

Mad as the seas, and wind, when both
contend

Which is the
mightier.

It is interesting
that in comparing her son to the weather during a storm, she is perhaps trying to excuse
her son's behaviour, for if it is as if the elements are battling for sovereignty within
him, he can hardly be held accountable for his
actions.

Claudius describes his regret at not acting to
stop Hamlet sooner as follows:

readability="11">

But like the owner of a foul
disease,

To keep it from divulging, lets it
feed

Even on the pith of
life.

Hamlet is described in
explicitly negative terms here - as a foul disease that the owner lets spread out of
fear of others knowing about it, even as it swallows up "the pith of life." Clearly,
from the King's perspective, Hamlet is a cancer who threatens to eat up his sovereignty
and position.

The final example I will point to comes from
Gertrude when she tells Claudius where Hamlet has
gone:

To draw
apart the body he hath kill'd,

O'er whom his very madness
like some ore

Among a mineral of metals
base

Shows itself
pure.

Note again how this
simile presents Hamlet in a positive light - he shows himself to be "pure" in spite of
his madness, and his condition is compared to a precious ore in a bed of worthless
minerals that shows how precious and valuable it is, in spite of the surrounding
rubbish.

Hopefully this will help you identify others.
Enjoy!