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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What specific thing does Hamlet determine Claudius must do before Hamlet can murder him?
(a) Commit a sin so Hamlet can send his soul to hell.
(b) Stand trial for his crime so he can face public justice.
(c) Confess his crime so the world will know about his guilt.
(d) Apologize to Hamlet for killing his father.

2. In Act 1, Scene 5, what does the ghost ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Help the new king.
(b) Have a priest pray for its soul.
(c) Hire an exorcist.
(d) Get revenge.

3. During his first soliloquy, what does Hamlet say about his mother?
(a) She has too much power over the country.
(b) She is grieving too much for his father.
(c) She is responsible for his father's death.
(d) She forgot his father too quickly.

4. After the ghost disappears, what does Bernardo say about the ghost's behavior?
(a) It looks like it is crying.
(b) It looks like it wants to speak.
(c) It looks like it is in pain.
(d) It looks like it wants to scare people.

5. What does the ghost do to Hamlet in Act 1, Scene 4?
(a) Puts a curse on him.
(b) Ignores him.
(c) Beckons him to follow.
(d) Smiles at him.

Short Answer Questions

1. After listening to Ophelia's description of Hamlet, Polonius believes he has found the explanation for Hamlet's behavior. What does he decide to do next?

2. At the start of the play, what are Francisco and Bernardo doing?

3. When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends?

4. When Claudius reacts to the play, what does Hamlet say in response?

5. On his way to see his mother in Act 3, Scene 3, Hamlet finds Claudius. What does Hamlet decide not to do in that scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and why do they go to Elsinore?

2. Hamlet says "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt...." This soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2, is the first introduction of a theme that Hamlet will talk about repeatedly in the play. What does he talk about doing or wanting to do in this soliloquy?

3. Who does the ghost tell Hamlet NOT to seek revenge on?

4. What is the point or theme of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech?

5. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's appearance?

6. In Act 3, Claudius becomes convinced that Hamlet is insane. What does he decide to do with Hamlet?

7. Polonius sends Reynaldo to Laertes with very specific instructions. What does Polonius tell Reynaldo to do, and how does Polonius tell him to do it?

8. Early in the play, Laertes gives Ophelia advice about her love life. What does she say in response?

9. In Act 2, Scene 2, what play does Hamlet ask the players to perform and why?

10. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior?

(see the answer keys)

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