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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. How does Hamlet manage to avoid his fate in England?

2. What does Polonius tell Gertrude to do in Act 3, Scene 4 regarding Hamlet?

3. 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?

4. Claudius asks Hamlet a second time about where they can find his victim. Hamlet responds, "In heaven; send hither to see: if your messenger find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself." What other place is Hamlet suggesting Claudius visit?

5. Where does Claudius want the body of Hamlet's first victim to be taken?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

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

6. After Polonius's death, what does Gertrude tell Claudius about Hamlet?

7. How does Hamlet avoid going to England?

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

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

10. Whose burial does Hamlet witness in Act 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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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