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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. Hamlet says "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite/ That ever I was born to set it right!" What does that mean?
(a) He cannot believe he has seen a ghost.
(b) He wishes he did not have to do the things he expects to do.
(c) He cannot believe what the ghost has told him.
(d) He wishes he was not born a prince.

2. What shocking news does the ghost deliver to Hamlet in Act 1, Scene 5?
(a) Laertes killed Hamlet's father.
(b) Ophelia killed Hamlet's father.
(c) Hamlet's mother killed Hamlet's father.
(d) Claudius killed Hamlet's father.

3. What country did the late King go to battle against?
(a) England.
(b) Norway.
(c) Denmark.
(d) France.

4. Who asks Hamlet to sit nearby during the play? Who does Hamlet prefer to sit with?
(a) Gertrude wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Horatio.
(b) Getrude wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Ophelia.
(c) Ophelia wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Horatio.
(d) Claudius wants Hamlet to sit nearby, but he prefers Ophelia.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. What does Polonius say is the most important thing for Laertes to remember as he leaves Elsinore?

3. After watching Hamlet and Ophelia together in Act 3, Scene 1, what does Claudius decide to do with Hamlet?

4. Who is Ophelia in love with?

5. In Act 2, Scene 1, what does Ophelia say about the look on Hamlet's face?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does the Ghost at the beginning of the play talk to the watchers?

2. 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?

3. When Hamlet follows the ghost, what do his friends decide to do?

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

5. Hamlet says "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt...." This soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2, is the first introduction of a theme that Hamlet will talk about repeatedly in the play. What does he talk about doing or wanting to do in this soliloquy?

6. Who does the Ghost in Act 1, Scene 1 look like?

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

8. How does Hamlet act towards Ophelia during the play-within-a-play?

9. In Act 2, Scene 2, what play does Hamlet ask the players to perform and why?

10. At the end of Act 1, Scene 5, what does Hamlet tell his friends about his future behavior?

(see the answer keys)

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