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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. Claudius finally gives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern sealed orders for how to handle Hamlet. What do those orders say?
(a) Hamlet should be put to death.
(b) Hamlet should be put on trial for murder.
(c) Hamlet should be locked away forever.
(d) Hamlet should be exiled from Denmark.

2. Laertes comes up with another idea to make sure his duel with Hamlet will result in Hamlet's death. What is it?
(a) Poison the tip of the sword.
(b) Damage Hamlet's armor so he is vulnerable.
(c) Fix Laertes's sword so it is sharp.
(d) Force Hamlet to drink poison before the fight.

3. What does Polonius tell Gertrude to do in Act 3, Scene 4 regarding Hamlet?
(a) Make sure Hamlet knows that Polonius is listening to their conversation.
(b) Convince Hamlet to talk about Ophelia.
(c) Be stern with Hamlet about his behavior.
(d) Be kind to Hamlet and invite him to confide in her.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When Claudius hears that Hamlet has killed someone, what does he say?

2. Claudius asks Hamlet a second time about where they can find his victim. Hamlet responds, "In heaven; send hither to see: if your messenger find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself." What other place is Hamlet suggesting Claudius visit?

3. At the end of Act 4, Scene 2, what does Hamlet agree to do?

4. In Act 4, scene 4, while watching the troops and reflecting on his own behavior, what does Hamlet promise about his future actions?

5. Watching the troops attacking, Hamlet decides that he is less of a man than their leader. Why does he say that?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is the first person in Elsinore to find out that Hamlet is on his way back to Denmark instead of going to England? How does that person find out?

2. As Hamlet travels to the boat for England, what or who does Hamlet find on a plain in Denmark?

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

4. How does Hamlet avoid going to England?

5. When Claudius hears about Polonius's death, what is his first thought?

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

7. Claudius tells Laertes that Hamlet is responsible for Polonius's death. Claudius says that there are two reasons why he cannot have Hamlet publicly arrested and punished. What are those two reasons?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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