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

2. What does Ophelia say about violets?
(a) The violets died when her father died.
(b) Violets stand for remembrance.
(c) Violets stand for thoughts.
(d) Violets are her favorite flower.

3. Watching the troops attacking, Hamlet decides that he is less of a man than their leader. Why does he say that?
(a) Hamlet has only killed one man and the leader has killed many.
(b) Hamlet was never in the army, unlike the troops' leader.
(c) He has a better reason to fight than the leader, but he does not fight.
(d) The leader is a common man, while Hamlet is a prince.

4. Who is "poor Yorick"?
(a) The gravedigger who is old and tired.
(b) Hamlet's servant, who is old and tired.
(c) The king's jester, now dead.
(d) Hamlet's grandfather, now dead.

5. What is Hamlet's response when Claudius demands to know where the body of Hamlet's murdered victim is?
(a) The worms are eating the victim for supper.
(b) The victim is not really dead and is eating supper in the castle.
(c) The victim is eating supper in Hell.
(d) The victim is eating supper in Heaven.

Short Answer Questions

1. Laertes comes up with another idea to make sure his duel with Hamlet will result in Hamlet's death. What is it?

2. After reading the letters brought by the sailors in Act 4, Scene 6, what does Horatio say he wants to do?

3. As Laertes and Claudius discuss how to kill Hamlet, what news does Gertrude bring?

4. At the end of the play, who will rule Denmark?

5. Who are the Norwegian soldiers attacking?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. 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?

7. How does Hamlet avoid going to England?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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