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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. Why does Corambis tell Fengon the king's afternoon plans?

2. What does Geruthe think of Fengon's idea of love?

3. Who has betrayed Fengon to the king?

4. When do Gertrude and Claudius marry?

5. What is Geruthe's first response to hearing Fengon describe his vow?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Fengon feels about his brother while he is in the audience chamber.

2. Describe two reasons why Horvendil wants Hamblet to return from his studies at Wittenberg.

3. How does Gertrude feel about the King's death?

4. What does Horvendil infer about how his son spends his nights at the university compared to what Geruthe infers?

5. Describe the name changes that take place upon Claudius's coronation.

6. Describe why Geruthe suddenly wants to be rid of Corambis.

7. What do Fengon and Corambis say about the king´s death?

8. Describe Geruthe's feelings immediately after she is kissed by Fengon in the royal palace.

9. What was Corambis's involvement with the king's murder?

10. Describe why Claudius is angry with Hamlet after King Hamlet's death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many strong characters and personalities in the story, including Gertrude and Claudius. Think about these questions as you write an answer for each part in the essay. Has Gertrude's character changed after many years of marriage? Or is she still the bold young woman of sixteen at heart?

Part 1. Describe the personalities of Gertrude and Claudius when they were first married. Compare it to Gertrude's character at the end of the story.

Part 2. Explain how each character is "strong" in their own way.

Part 3. Do you think that Gertrude's personality has weakened with years of marriage? Has she become old and sodden?

Essay Topic 2

In Act 1 we meet King Rorik, Gerutha, and Horwendil. Of these characters, who do you think has the most accurate idea of love?

Part 1. Describe each character's position on love and perhaps what they think is love should be.

Part 2. Describe your idea or definition of love and how is it similar or different to each of the character's ideas.

Part 3. Explain why you think the character has the most accurate idea of love. Include examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Falconry is a common sport at the time of the story. Gerutha is disturbed by the sport's violence and the blinding of the falcons involved. Write a three part essay to discuss your answers to the following questions.

Part 1. Describe why Gertutha is made uncomfortable with the falcons used for sport.

Part 2. Explain the analogy between the blinded falcon and the affair of Gerutha and Feng.

Part 3. Describe how Gerutha feels after she releases Bathsheba. Do you think it is similar to the remorse of a passed love?

(see the answer keys)

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