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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. Polonius gives Reynaldo very specific instructions about how to find the information he wants. What are those instructions?
(a) Lie about him if that helps bring out the truth.
(b) Ask his son directly.
(c) Talk to the local police department.
(d) Ask his son's friends and teachers.

2. After the play is performed, what does Polonius ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Ask the players to leave Elsinore.
(b) Go see the Queen.
(c) Go see Ophelia.
(d) Go see Claudius.

3. In Act 1, Scene 1, why does Marcellus bring Horatio to talk to Francisco and Bernardo?
(a) To cover for them while they take a break.
(b) To show him his father's ghost.
(c) To confirm what they have seen.
(d) To tell them the latest gossip about Hamlet.

4. Polonius asks Claudius to arrange for Hamlet to go somewhere after the play's performance. Where is Hamlet supposed to go?
(a) To see a doctor.
(b) To see Claudius.
(c) To see his mother.
(d) To see Ophelia.

5. After the play, Claudius meets with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to discuss Hamlet's condition. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern more sympathetic to Claudius, Hamlet, or someone else?
(a) Ophelia.
(b) Gertrude.
(c) Claudius.
(d) Hamlet.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Hamlet and the others wait to see the ghost in Act 1, Scene 4, what do they hear in the distance?

2. Who does the ghost claim to be?

3. The ghost appears to Horatio and his companions in Act 1, Scene 1, but something seems to scare it into disappearing. What causes it to disappear?

4. What is Hamlet's mother's name?

5. What is the Prince of Norway's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he finds Claudius alone in Act 3?

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

3. During Hamlet's first conversation with the ghost, the ghost asks for revenge. Who does the ghost want revenge on and why?

4. In Act 2, Scene 2, Polonius talks to Hamlet. After that conversation, does Polonius think Hamlet is crazy?

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

6. After the play-within-a-play, Claudius meets with Hamlet's old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern loyal to? How can you tell?

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

8. 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?

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

10. The first time Claudius appears on stage, he gives a speech describing the current state of affairs in Denmark. He identifies and explains three major events. What are those events?

(see the answer keys)

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