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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. What does Guildenstern want to know if the troupe knows?

2. What is Rosencrantz's observation about Hamlet?

3. Of what does Guildenstern say they can be sure?

4. How are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern identified in Stoppard's script?

5. What is the Player's apology to Guildenstern and Rosencrantz?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Claudius' request of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

2. What is the feeling the audience gets from the strange coin spinning game Guildenstern and Rosencrantz play?

3. What is the Player's misconception about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

4. Why do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern speak differently to Claudius and Gertrude?

5. Why are Guildenstern and Rosencrantz on this road and what has Guildenstern been expecting?

6. How does Guildenstern show that he is still being analytical about their situation?

7. What does Guildenstern say that emphasizes their helplessness in a situation they do not understand?

8. Trying to make sense of their situation, to what does Guildenstern think back?

9. What appears to be the relationship between the two men?

10. Throughout the play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern never leave the stage. What stops them from following the Queen's attendants to go find Hamlet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper on the importance of dialogue in a play. Describe how the dialogue in Stoppard's play sounds real as opposed to being contrived. What does an audience get from the dialogueue? How is dialog in a play like telling a story?

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on comic relief in a tragedy. Explain why it is a necessary element in a drama that will ultimately end in disaster. Evaluate how well Stoppard uses this tool in his play.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper contrasting chance and destiny. Do you believe in destiny or fate? If so, why, and if not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample