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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. After witnessing Hamlet's behavior during the play, what does Claudius say about his condition?

2. When the audience first sees Claudius, he gives a speech about the current situation in Denmark and then speaks to Hamlet about his behavior. What does Claudius say to Hamlet at this early point in the play?

3. What does Hamlet say when he first hears about the ghost?

4. Early in the play, what country does Claudius send messengers to?

5. Hamlet enters about halfway through Act 3, Scene 3. When he comes in, what is Claudius doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the end of Act 1, Scene 1, what does Horatio say he will do next?

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

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

4. Who does the ghost tell Hamlet NOT to seek revenge on?

5. Why does Claudius claim he cannot seek forgiveness for his crimes?

6. What is the point or theme of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech?

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

8. After his first speech in the play, Claudius shifts from talking about the country to talking specifically about Hamlet. What does he say about Hamlet's grief? What does Gertrude say?

9. In Act 2, Scene 2, Polonius talks to Hamlet. After that conversation, does Polonius think Hamlet is crazy?

10. When Hamlet rants about love and marriage to Ophelia, he is talking about more than just his own relationship with her. What else is Hamlet talking about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The question of suicide comes up repeatedly in the play. Hamlet mentions it on multiple occasions and Ophelia's death is potentially a suicide and questionable enough that her funeral rites are "maimed." Discuss the play's treatment of suicide, focusing on the following points:

-- How is suicide presented? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

-- Are there universal truths about death and suicide, as Hamlet seems to suggest in the "To be or not to be" speech? Or does the play contradict that by adding in Ophelia's suicide?

-- Do you think Ophelia does commit suicide? Why or why not?

-- Do you think Hamlet is essentially committing suicide at the end of the play? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

One of the major themes in the play is connected to ears, hearing, and trusting what you hear. Identify one or two important moments in each act when that theme comes up. Explain the moment, why it is important, and how it contributes to the overall theme.

Essay Topic 3

Describe how Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to prepare his audience for the very bloody end of the play. Identify specific examples from the first four acts of the script.

(see the answer keys)

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