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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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) Getrude is talking about Claudius, but Hamlet is talking about the dead king.
(c) Gertrude is using the dead king to force Hamlet to behave himself.
(d) Hamlet has decided to act crazy even with his mother.

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

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

5. How does Gertrude die?
(a) Laertes kills her with a poisoned sword.
(b) She drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet.
(c) Hamlet kills her with a poisoned sword.
(d) She kills herself by drowning.

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

7. Claudius asks Hamlet a second time about where they can find his victim. Hamlet responds, "In heaven; send hither to see: if your messenger find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself." What other place is Hamlet suggesting Claudius visit?
(a) Gertrude's bedroom.
(b) Hell.
(c) The chapel.
(d) The graveyard.

8. What does Ophelia say about violets?
(a) Violets stand for thoughts.
(b) Violets stand for remembrance.
(c) Violets are her favorite flower.
(d) The violets died when her father died.

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

10. How does Hamlet manage to avoid his fate in England?
(a) He got onto another ship.
(b) He killed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
(c) He made friends with the English queen.
(d) He bribed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

11. At the end of Act 4, Scene 2, what does Hamlet agree to do?
(a) See a doctor.
(b) Go to England.
(c) Talk to Gertrude.
(d) Go see the king.

12. When Laertes returns after his father's death, what does he want?
(a) To take over the throne of Denmark.
(b) To talk to Hamlet.
(c) Revenge on the people responsible for his father's death.
(d) To visit with his sister.

13. When Claudius hears that Hamlet has killed someone, what does he say?
(a) Hamlet is a brave man.
(b) Hamlet needs to be executed.
(c) Hamlet might have killed him.
(d) Hamlet needs to be sent to jail.

14. At the end of Act 4, Scene 5, what does Claudius offer to do for Laertes?
(a) Show Laertes where his father is buried.
(b) Help Laertes kill Hamlet.
(c) Take care of Ophelia.
(d) Tell Laertes the truth about his father's death.

15. 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) Force Hamlet to drink poison before the fight.
(c) Fix Laertes's sword so it is sharp.
(d) Damage Hamlet's armor so he is vulnerable.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ophelia she say about the herb rosemary?

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

3. Who does Hamlet kill in his mother's room?

4. In the letter that the sailors deliver in Act 4, Scene 6, it says: "when thou shalt have overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the king: they have letters for him." What is the writer of the letter asking?

5. After he leaves the ship, how will Hamlet make his way back to Elsinore?

(see the answer keys)

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