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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. What happens between Laertes and Hamlet in the graveyard scene?
(a) They shake hands over Ophelia's grave.
(b) They both jump into Ophelia's grave and get in a fight.
(c) Laertes blames Hamlet for his sister's death.
(d) Laertes tries to kill Hamlet.

2. What happens to Horatio at the end of the play?
(a) He wants to kill himself, but Hamlet asks him to live.
(b) He gets poisoned by accident.
(c) He wants to kill himself, but Fortinbras stops him.
(d) He kills himself.

3. How does Laertes die?
(a) He drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet.
(b) He is forced to drink poisoned wine and is stabbed with a poisoned sword.
(c) He kills himself.
(d) Hamlet kills him with a poisoned sword.

4. What message is the Norwegian Captain supposed to deliver to Claudius in Act 4, Scene 4?
(a) The armies of Norway want passage through Denmark.
(b) The armies of Norway will attack at dawn.
(c) The armies of Norway have defeated the Poles.
(d) The armies of Denmark must surrender their weapons.

5. What does Claudius ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do, after learning that Hamlet has committed murder?
(a) Get the body from Hamlet.
(b) Protect Getrude from Hamlet.
(c) Find Hamlet so the guards can arrest him.
(d) Protect Ophelia from Hamlet.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Hamlet first sees Laertes in the graveyard scene, what does Hamlet say about him?

2. When Laertes returns after his father's death, what does he want?

3. Who does Hamlet kill in his mother's room?

4. How does Hamlet manage to avoid his fate in England?

5. As the funeral procession makes it way through the graveyard, Hamlet notices there are "maimed rites." What does that signify?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the end of the play, we learn of the death of two minor characters. Who are they, and how do we learn of their death?

2. Who is Yorick, and why does he come up in Act 5?

3. How does Hamlet suggest that Claudius and his servants might find Polonius's body?

4. When Hamlet hears about Fortinbras and his attacks on Poland, what does he say about Fortinbras and about himself?

5. How does Hamlet avoid going to England?

6. In Act 4, Scene 5, Claudius is almost overthrown by a violent mob. Who does the mob want to be king in his place?

7. After Polonius's death, Ophelia comes to see Gertrude. What do we learn about Ophelia in that scene?

8. What plan do Laertes and Claudius come up with in Act 4, Scene 7 to kill Hamlet?

9. In Act 4, Scene 3, what does Claudius reveal to the audience about his plans for Hamlet in England?

10. After Polonius's death, who is sent to find Hamlet?

(see the answer keys)

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