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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. Once left alone on stage in Act 3, Scene 3, what does Cladius express guilt about?
(a) Killing his brother.
(b) Hamlet going crazy.
(c) Having Hamlet killed.
(d) Marrying Gertrude.

2. What is the main idea of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech?
(a) Hamlet is thinking about proposing to Ophelia.
(b) Hamlet is thinking about killing Ophelia.
(c) Hamlet is thinking about killing himself.
(d) Hamlet is thinking about killing Claudius.

3. Why does Hamlet talk to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about a recorder?
(a) Hamlet says he wants to learn to play the recorder.
(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 they want to play him like a recorder and get information out of him.

4. After Hamlet yells at Ophelia to go to a nunnery, what does she say about him?
(a) She is angry because she does not think he is crazy, and he has hurt her feelings.
(b) She is angry at him because she thinks he is crazy.
(c) She is sorry for him and for herself, because she thinks he is crazy.
(d) She is relieved that she did not marry him.

5. After telling Ophelia to get to a nunnery, what does Hamlet say about marriage?
(a) We shall have no more marriage.
(b) Marriage is better for women than for men.
(c) Marriage is the best thing Ophelia can do with her life.
(d) Marriage is an old-fashioned institution.

Short Answer Questions

1. What message do the ambassadors bring Claudius back from Norway?

2. When Polonius tries to speak with Hamlet, does Polonius really believe Hamlet is crazy?

3. After Hamlet's behavior during the play-within-a-play, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to do with Hamlet?

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

5. In Act 1, Scene 2, what two events does Claudius describe?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. 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?

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

10. When Hamlet first sees the ghost, he tries to talk to it. How does the ghost respond?

(see the answer keys)

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