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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Act 4, Scene 1.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After the ambassadors have left, what piece of writing does Polonius share with Claudius and Gertrude?
(a) A letter from Hamlet to Fortinbras.
(b) Hamlet's plan to kill Claudius.
(c) A love letter from Hamlet to Ophelia.
(d) A treaty between Norway and Poland.

2. After the play is performed, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Go see Claudius.
(b) Go see Ophelia.
(c) Ask the players to leave Elsinore.
(d) Go see his mother.

3. When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends?
(a) Good people always have lots of friends.
(b) Do not worry about making friends.
(c) Good people rarely have any friends.
(d) Keep your good friends close to you.

4. In Act 1, Scene 3, before Laertes leaves Elsinore, Polonius gives him advice about clothes. What does Polonius say?
(a) Buy the least expensive clothes you can find.
(b) Buy the fanciest clothes you can find.
(c) Nobody pays attention to what you wear.
(d) Get costly, but not showy or ostentatious clothes.

5. What is the public explanation of the last king's death?
(a) He was stabbed.
(b) He was stung by a serpent.
(c) He died in his sleep.
(d) He had a heart attack.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hamlet says "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite/ That ever I was born to set it right!" What does that mean?

2. After Laertes has left in Act 1, Scene 3, Polonius talks to Ophelia about her romance. What does Polonius tell her?

3. Who does the ghost claim to be?

4. What is the first part of the players' performance in Act 3, Scene 2?

5. Before he returns to school, what does Laertes tell Ophelia about her boyfriend?

(see the answer key)

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