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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. After hearing about Hamlet's strange behavior, what does Polonius say about his own decisions?
(a) By telling Ophelia to stay away, he may have made Hamlet worse.
(b) By telling the queen that Hamlet is crazy, he may have upset her.
(c) By telling Ophelia to stay away, he may have saved her from worse treatment.
(d) By telling the king that Hamlet is crazy, he may have gotten himself in trouble.

2. What is the Prince of Norway's name?
(a) Fortinbras.
(b) Horatio.
(c) Marcellus.
(d) Claudius.

3. Why does Hamlet talk to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about a recorder?
(a) Hamlet says they want to play him like a recorder and get information out of him.
(b) Hamlet asks them to teach him how to play the recorder.
(c) Hamlet wants them to make the musicians stop playing the recorder.
(d) Hamlet says he wants to learn to play the recorder.

4. What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell Claudius that Hamlet is excited about in Act 3, Scene 1?
(a) Seeing Ophelia again.
(b) Fencing with Laertes.
(c) Committing suicide.
(d) Seeing the players perform.

5. Early in the play, what country does Claudius send messengers to?
(a) Norway.
(b) Denmark.
(c) France.
(d) England.

Short Answer Questions

1. After hearing Ophelia's description of Hamlet, what reason does Polonius suggest for Hamlet's strange behavior?

2. 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?

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

4. What does Polonius ask Reynaldo to give to his son?

5. The tone of the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 1 changes abruptly when Ophelia does what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior?

2. When Hamlet meets Ophelia after the "To be or not to be" speech, he is polite or gentle with her at first. What happens to change his attitude? How does his attitude change? What does he say?

3. What is the setting (time and place) at the beginning of the day?

4. Why does Claudius claim he cannot seek forgiveness for his crimes?

5. Polonius sends Reynaldo to Laertes with very specific instructions. What does Polonius tell Reynaldo to do, and how does Polonius tell him to do it?

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

7. When Hamlet rants about love and marriage to Ophelia, he is talking about more than just his own relationship with her. What else is Hamlet talking about?

8. In Act 3, Claudius becomes convinced that Hamlet is insane. What does he decide to do with Hamlet?

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

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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