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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What other "crime" has been committed against the last king?
(a) Claudius stole from the state treasury.
(b) Laertes seduced his wife.
(c) Polonius stole from the state treasury.
(d) Claudius seduced his wife.

3. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
(a) Gertrude's nephews.
(b) Servants of the court.
(c) The ambassadors to Norway.
(d) Hamlet's old friends.

4. 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?
(a) Talk to Hamlet himself.
(b) Tell the queen.
(c) Get Hamlet to see a doctor.
(d) Tell the king.

5. When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends?
(a) Do not worry about making friends.
(b) Good people rarely have any friends.
(c) Good people always have lots of friends.
(d) Keep your good friends close to you.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Claudius say in Act 3, Scene 3 about his own thoughts and words?

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

4. Early in Act 2, Polonius believes he has found the cause of Hamlet's behavior. What is the first thing he does to test his theory?

5. What does Polonius tell Laertes about borrowing money?

Short Essay Questions

1. Laertes and Polonius are both concerned about Ophelia's romance. In Act 1, Scene 3, what do they tell her?

2. After the play-within-a-play, where is Hamlet asked to go? Who asks him to go there?

3. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and why do they go to Elsinore?

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

5. What is the setting (time and place) of Act 1, Scene 4?

6. After his first speech in the play, Claudius shifts from talking about the country to talking specifically about Hamlet. What does he say about Hamlet's grief? What does Gertrude say?

7. As they watch for the ghost in Act 1, Scene 4, Hamlet and his companions hear a noise offstage. What noise do they hear and how does Hamlet explain it?

8. How does Claudius react to the play-within-a-play?

9. Who does the ghost tell Hamlet NOT to seek revenge on?

10. After hearing Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior in Act 2, Scene 1, what does Polonius decide is the cause of Hamlet's behavior and what does he decide to do about it?

(see the answer keys)

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