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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Polonius tries to speak with Hamlet, does Polonius really believe Hamlet is crazy?
(a) Not entirely -- Polonius sees some reason or logic within the craziness.
(b) No, Polonius does not think Hamlet is crazy at all.
(c) Yes, but Polonius thinks it is easily cured.
(d) Yes, Polonius says Hamlet is totally insane.

2. After telling Ophelia to get to a nunnery, what does Hamlet say about marriage?
(a) Marriage is better for women than for men.
(b) Marriage is the best thing Ophelia can do with her life.
(c) We shall have no more marriage.
(d) Marriage is an old-fashioned institution.

3. After the play, Claudius meets with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to discuss Hamlet's condition. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern more sympathetic to Claudius, Hamlet, or someone else?
(a) Hamlet.
(b) Claudius.
(c) Ophelia.
(d) Gertrude.

4. What does Hamlet tell his friends about his meeting with the ghost?
(a) He repeats the truth about the last king's death.
(b) He tells them nothing.
(c) He pretends that he did not see a ghost.
(d) He says the ghost is a liar.

5. What does Polonius say is the most important thing for Laertes to remember as he leaves Elsinore?
(a) Be true to yourself.
(b) Do not talk too much.
(c) Do well in school.
(d) Do not borrow money.

6. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior?
(a) He stared at her, then started to yell at her.
(b) He would not look at her and would not speak to her.
(c) He yelled at her but would not look at her.
(d) He stared at her but did not speak.

7. Claudius says his crime "hath the primal eldest curse upon't." What does he mean?
(a) Killing your oldest brother is an especially bad crime.
(b) Stealing your brother's wife is an especially bad crime.
(c) Killing the king is an especially bad crime.
(d) A brother's murder is an especially bad crime.

8. During their first conversation, what does the ghost tell Hamlet about his mother?
(a) Protect her from the murderer.
(b) She is a good woman.
(c) Do not blame her for what happened.
(d) What happened is her fault.

9. When Claudius reacts to the play, what does Hamlet say in response?
(a) "Get me a fellowship in a cry of players."
(b) "What, frighted with false fire!"
(c) "For if the king like not the comedy, Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy. "
(d) "It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge. "

10. After the play is performed, what does Polonius ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Go see the Queen.
(b) Go see Ophelia.
(c) Ask the players to leave Elsinore.
(d) Go see Claudius.

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

12. When the ghost first speaks to Hamlet, how does it describe its experience?
(a) It walks at night and is frozen in a block of ice during the day.
(b) It walks at night and is tortured by day.
(c) It walks all the time, hoping someone will set it free.
(d) It is tortured and burned in a fire all the time.

13. What message do the ambassadors bring Claudius back from Norway?
(a) Fortinbras wants to take over Denmark.
(b) Fortinbras will attack Poland, not Denmark.
(c) Fortinbras wants to take over Denmark and Poland.
(d) Fortinbras does not plan to attack any country at all.

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

15. What time of day is it in Act 1, Scene 4?
(a) Lunch time.
(b) After midnight.
(c) Sunset.
(d) Almost midnight.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Hamlet's mother's name?

2. How does Horatio describe the ghost to Hamlet?

3. Once left alone on stage in Act 3, Scene 3, what does Cladius express guilt about?

4. Who is Ophelia in love with?

5. What is the real reason for the last king's death?

(see the answer keys)

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