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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. At the end of Act 1, Scene 1, what does Horatio say he intends to do?
(a) Tell Prince Hamlet about the ghost.
(b) Talk to the king.
(c) Watch for the ghost on the next night.
(d) Talk to a priest.

2. Who is Claudius?
(a) The Prince of Norway.
(b) Hamlet's brother.
(c) Hamlet's father.
(d) Hamlet's uncle and the new king.

3. Hamlet makes an ominous statement about married people: "those that are married already, all but one, shall live." What does that mean and who is he talking about?
(a) Everyone who is currently married will stay alive, except one person: Claudius.
(b) Everyone who plans to be married soon should be killed, except one person: Ophelia.
(c) Everyone who is currently married will stay alive, except one person: Polonius.
(d) Everyone who is currently married will be killed, except one person: Gertrude.

4. Where is Elsinore in Act 1, Scene 1?
(a) England.
(b) France.
(c) Denmark.
(d) Italy.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of the first act, what does Hamlet warn his friends he might do?

2. After watching the players give a speech about Hecuba and Priam, what does Hamlet say impresses him the most?

3. After hearing about Hamlet's strange behavior, what does Polonius say about his own decisions?

4. After Hamlet yells at Ophelia to go to a nunnery, what does she say about him?

5. When the ghost first speaks to Hamlet, how does it describe its experience?

Short Essay Questions

1. Early in the play, Laertes gives Ophelia advice about her love life. What does she say in response?

2. Before Laertes leaves Elsinore, Polonius gives him a lot of advice. What does Polonius say is the most important piece of advice he can give?

3. 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?

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

5. After Laertes leaves in Act 1, Scene 3, Polonius and Ophelia have a private talk. What specific instruction or order does Polonius give Ophelia?

6. 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?

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

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

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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