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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. After he leaves the ship, how will Hamlet make his way back to Elsinore?
(a) Horatio must come get him.
(b) Claudius must pay a ransom.
(c) Hamlet must escape from the pirates.
(d) Ophelia must come get him.

2. How does Hamlet manage to avoid his fate in England?
(a) He bribed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
(b) He killed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
(c) He made friends with the English queen.
(d) He got onto another ship.

3. Hamlet's attitude towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern changes over the course of the play. By Act 4, Scene 2, what does he say about them?
(a) They are weak and foolish.
(b) They are good, true friends.
(c) They are spies for Claudius.
(d) They are dangerous.

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

5. When he is asked where his first victim's body is, what does Hamlet do?
(a) He answers with a riddle.
(b) He refuses to speak.
(c) He laughs.
(d) He threatens to kill more people.

Short Answer Questions

1. What additional method does Claudius suggest so that even if Hamlet wins the duel with Laertes, Hamlet will still die?

2. What does Claudius say about Laertes and Ophelia's death?

3. At the end of Act 4, Scene 5, what does Claudius offer to do for Laertes?

4. After talking to Hamlet in her room, what does Gertrude say about Hamlet?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Whose burial does Hamlet witness in Act 5?

3. 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?

4. Hamlet finally confronts his mother in Act 3, Scene 4, speaking harshly to her as he tries to force her to realize her own complicity in the crime. What happens to change his tone?

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

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

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

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

9. How does Hamlet avoid going to England?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 797 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample