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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Hamlet act after he has killed someone?
(a) He is frightened that someone will now try to kill him.
(b) He is sorry for his crime.
(c) He does not seem sorry for his crime.
(d) He is relieved to have finally done something.

2. When Laertes returns after his father's death, what do the common people say about him?
(a) They want to make him king.
(b) They want to kill him.
(c) They think he should lead the armies against Norway.
(d) They think he is to blame for the last king's death

3. Hamlet finally tells Claudius how to find the body of his first victim: "But indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby." How is Hamlet saying that they might find the body?
(a) The body is waiting on the lobby stairs.
(b) Climb the stairs and you will see the body in the lobby.
(c) Wait a month and you will smell where it is.
(d) Wait a month till the ground thaws and the grave will be revealed.

4. Who is Gertrude truly loyal to?
(a) Claudius.
(b) Herself.
(c) No one.
(d) Hamlet.

5. The sailors from the pirate ships deliver letters to Elsinore. Who are the letters from?
(a) Gertrude.
(b) Horatio.
(c) Hamlet.
(d) Laertes.

6. What happens to Ophelia after her father's death?
(a) She gets sick.
(b) She blames Claudius for her father's death.
(c) She goes crazy.
(d) She wants to kill Hamlet.

7. What does Claudius say about Laertes and Ophelia's death?
(a) He thinks Laertes is responsible for Ophelia's death.
(b) He knew about Ophelia's death, but did not want to tell Laertes.
(c) He is afraid Laertes may kill himself because of Ophelia's death.
(d) He is worried Ophelia's death will enrage Laertes.

8. After the murder, Claudius tells Hamlet to leave right away. Where should Hamlet go?
(a) Back to school.
(b) Off to prison.
(c) England.
(d) To be locked in his room.

9. Claudius tells Laertes there are two reasons why he has not ordered Hamlet killed. What are those reasons?
(a) Because Hamlet is heir to the throne and Gertrude loves him.
(b) Because Gertrude loves him and Ophelia might kill herself if he is killed.
(c) Because Gertrude loves him and the common people love him.
(d) Because the common people love him and Fortinbras might attack if he is killed.

10. When Hamlet and his mother finally talk in Gertrude's room, she says, "Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended." Hamlet responds, "Mother, you have my father much offended." Why is that dialogue important?
(a) Gertrude is talking about the dead king, but Hamlet is talking about Claudius.
(b) Gertrude is using the dead king to force Hamlet to behave himself.
(c) Hamlet has decided to act crazy even with his mother.
(d) Getrude is talking about Claudius, but Hamlet is talking about the dead king.

11. What is Hamlet's response when Claudius demands to know where the body of Hamlet's murdered victim is?
(a) The worms are eating the victim for supper.
(b) The victim is eating supper in Heaven.
(c) The victim is eating supper in Hell.
(d) The victim is not really dead and is eating supper in the castle.

12. After reading the letters brought by the sailors in Act 4, Scene 6, what does Horatio say he wants to do?
(a) Tell Claudius about Hamlet.
(b) Wait until Hamlet arrives in Elsinore.
(c) Tell Gertrude about Hamlet.
(d) Go get Hamlet.

13. What do the gravediggers say about Ophelia's burial?
(a) She should have been getting married, not buried.
(b) It is a shame that someone so young is dead.
(c) If she is a suicide, so she should not be buried in the churchyard.
(d) Her burial should get more ceremony and more attention than it is receiving.

14. After talking to Hamlet in her room, what does Gertrude say about Hamlet?
(a) He is not crazy.
(b) He is crazy.
(c) He is determined to get revenge.
(d) He is mad with love for Ophelia.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of Act 4, Scene 5, what does Claudius offer to do for Laertes?

2. At the start of Act 4, Scene 4, the audience finally sees a character that has been talked about since the start of the play. Who is this character?

3. What does Claudius ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do, after learning that Hamlet has committed murder?

4. When he is asked where his first victim's body is, what does Hamlet do?

5. What happens between Laertes and Hamlet in the graveyard scene?

(see the answer keys)

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