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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. Claudius tells Laertes there are two reasons why he has not ordered Hamlet killed. What are those reasons?

2. What does Ophelia say about violets?

3. What do the gravediggers say about Ophelia's burial?

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

5. At the start of Act 4, Scene 4, the audience finally sees a character that has been talked about since the start of the play. Who is this character?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. List the major characters who die during the last scene of the play.

5. How does Hamlet avoid going to England?

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. 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?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research the concept of "hamartia" or "tragic flaw." Write an essay in which you explain this concept and apply it to Hamlet or one of the other major characters in this play. Make sure you support your thesis with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia, focusing on the following points:

-- To what extent is each of them a victim of what happens?

-- To what extent does each of them cause what happens?

-- Does Gertrude affect Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia? If so, how? Does Ophelia affect Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude? If so, how?

-- How do the other men in the play treat Gertrude and Ophelia? How does that contribute to our overall sense of them? Focus specifically on the ghost, Claudius, Laertes, and Polonius.

-- Does it matter that these are essentially the only two female characters in the play? Why?

Essay Topic 3

At one point, Hamlet says "Words, words, words," and while there are a lot of words in this play, people use those words to manipulate or control each other, rather than to tell each other the truth. What theme or lesson can be drawn from this play about the important of words and language? Support your thesis with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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