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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The first time the audience sees Hamlet after he has killed someone, he says "Safely stowed." What does he mean?
(a) He has convinced his mother to help him.
(b) He has established proof that he is crazy.
(c) He has scared Ophelia away from him forever.
(d) He has hidden the body.

2. Watching the troops attacking, Hamlet decides that he is less of a man than their leader. Why does he say that?
(a) Hamlet has only killed one man and the leader has killed many.
(b) Hamlet was never in the army, unlike the troops' leader.
(c) The leader is a common man, while Hamlet is a prince.
(d) He has a better reason to fight than the leader, but he does not fight.

3. Laertes comes up with another idea to make sure his duel with Hamlet will result in Hamlet's death. What is it?
(a) Poison the tip of the sword.
(b) Fix Laertes's sword so it is sharp.
(c) Force Hamlet to drink poison before the fight.
(d) Damage Hamlet's armor so he is vulnerable.

4. At the beginning of Act 2, what does Polonius ask Reynaldo to find out?
(a) Find out how his son is doing in school.
(b) Find out if his son is behaving appropriately.
(c) Find out if his son has a girlfriend.
(d) Find out if his son is getting enough to eat.

5. When Hamlet and his friends first see the ghost, what do Hamlet's friends tell him to do?
(a) Go with the ghost.
(b) Do not go with the ghost.
(c) Send for a priest.
(d) Tell the king about the ghost.

Short Answer Questions

1. After reading the letters brought by the sailors in Act 4, Scene 6, what does Horatio say he wants to do?

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

3. When Claudius hears that Hamlet has killed someone, what does he say?

4. The tone of the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 1 changes abruptly when Ophelia does what?

5. During "The Mousetrap," Gertrude says, "The lady protests too much, methinks." What is she talking about?

(see the answer key)

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