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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Act 4, Scene 6.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Polonius gives Laertes plenty of advice before Laertes leaves Elsinore. What does Polonius tell Laertes about talking and listening to people?
(a) Listen to people, but do not talk very much.
(b) Talk to people, but do not listen to them.
(c) Practice talking to strangers to build up your confidence.
(d) Let women do the talking; men should listen.

2. After witnessing Hamlet kill someone, Gertrude hurries to find Claudius. Who is he talking to when she comes in?
(a) Laertes.
(b) Laertes and Ophelia.
(c) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
(d) The ambassadors to Norway.

3. Hamlet is delighted that the players, a group of traveling actors, are at Elsinore. He welcomes them and asks them for two favors. What are those two favors?
(a) To perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to add in a speech with new lines.
(b) To perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to let Hamlet play a role in it.
(c) To perform both "The Murder of Gonzago" and "Priam and Hecuba" for the court.
(d) Not to perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to perform Hamlet's favorite play instead.

4. After he leaves the ship, how will Hamlet make his way back to Elsinore?
(a) Hamlet must escape from the pirates.
(b) Ophelia must come get him.
(c) Horatio must come get him.
(d) Claudius must pay a ransom.

5. As Claudius speaks about his guilt in Act 3, Scene 3, what does he say about repenting?
(a) Only the weak repent.
(b) He cannot repent because he still has the crown and the queen -- the two things he did the murder for.
(c) He wants to repent, but cannot tell anyone what he has done.
(d) He is sure that heaven will forgive him for his crime.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Polonius tries to speak with Hamlet, does Polonius really believe Hamlet is crazy?

2. 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?

3. What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell Claudius that Hamlet is excited about in Act 3, Scene 1?

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

5. Hamlet enters about halfway through Act 3, Scene 3. When he comes in, what is Claudius doing?

(see the answer key)

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