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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Elsinore in Act 1, Scene 1?

2. Hamlet makes an ominous statement about married people: "those that are married already, all but one, shall live." What does that mean and who is he talking about?

3. What does Polonius tell Laertes about borrowing money?

4. As Hamlet and the others wait to see the ghost in Act 1, Scene 4, what do they hear in the distance?

5. In Act 1, Scene 3, before Laertes leaves Elsinore, Polonius gives him advice about clothes. What does Polonius say?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Hamlet follows the ghost, what do his friends decide to do?

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

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

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

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

6. In Act 3, Claudius becomes convinced that Hamlet is insane. What does he decide to do with Hamlet?

7. Once alone after the play-within-a-play, Claudius bemoans his crimes and falls to his knees in prayer. But at the end of the scene, what does he say about his praying?

8. At the end of Act 1, Scene 5, what does Hamlet tell his friends about his future behavior?

9. After the play-within-a-play, Claudius meets with Hamlet's old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern loyal to? How can you tell?

10. After talking to the ghost at the end of Act 1, what does Hamlet decide to do about his father's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the play we see both soliloquies (someone talking to themselves or the audience) and monologues (a single character talking to other characters). Compare and contrast the soliloquies and monologues of a single character. How is Claudius different in monologue than in soliloquy? How is Hamlet different? What is Shakespeare saying about the character's ability to be honest with him/herself and with others?

Essay Topic 2

Study some of the basics of Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" and apply them to the political situation in Denmark. What would Machiavelli say about Claudius? Polonius? Fortinbras? Hamlet?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of irony, dramatic and otherwise, throughout the play. How does Shakespeare use irony to make his scenes more effective?

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