View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In the letter that the sailors deliver in Act 4, Scene 6, it says: "when thou shalt have overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the king: they have letters for him." What is the writer of the letter asking?

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

3. When he is asked where his first victim's body is, what does Hamlet do?

4. In Act 4, scene 4, while watching the troops and reflecting on his own behavior, what does Hamlet promise about his future actions?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Whose burial does Hamlet witness in Act 5?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify one or more characters as the most important "victim(s)" of this play. Who is the most unfairly punished by the sequence of events? Why?

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

Sigmund Freud put forward the idea of the "Oedipus complex," based on the character of Oedipus from Greek tragedy. Freud also asserted that Hamlet has a serious Oedipus complex. Research the idea of the Oedipus complex and write an essay in which you do the following:

-- Explain what the Oedipus complex is.

-- State whether or not you think Hamlet has an Oedipus complex.

-- Support your view with information from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample