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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. As they are discussing the letter, who emerges from behind the umbrellas and walks toward the lantern?

2. Where did Hamlet say the body of Polonius is?

3. What happens when Rosencrantz kicks one of the large barrels?

4. Why does Rosencrantz think he can leave?

5. What is Rosencrantz's reply when Guildenstern asks why they would want to leave?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tell about the dialogue between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern after Rosencrantz insists they have permission to leave.

2. What is the lie Rosencrantz tells Claudius?

3. What are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern doing at the beginning of Act 2?

4. Describe the hilarious scene involving the belts of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

5. What happens when Rosencrantz hears music?

6. What game does Rosencrantz initiate on the ship?

7. What does Hamlet ask the Player?

8. How does Rosencrantz initiate a new coin game?

9. How are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern trying to figure out where they are?

10. Describe the funny bowing scene with Hamlet and Claudius.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critique of Stoppard's play. Detail what you think are its strong points and where you think it might have been improved. At the end of your critique, rate it from one to five stars as a recommendation for someone else to read or see.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper about the use of language styles in Stoppard's play. To what end does Stoppard utilize Elizabethan English in some scenes and modern English in others. Does this also help in identifying locations?

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper on costuming for a play. Hamlet has been staged often in modern dress. Why, then, is it important in Stoppard's play that the costumes be Elizabethan? What do you think the costumes add to the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample