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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Before he has seen the ghost, how does Hamlet describe his parents' marriage?
(a) His mother hated his father.
(b) His parents barely spoke to each other.
(c) His father hated his mother.
(d) His mother was devoted to his father.

2. Early in the play, what country does Claudius send messengers to?
(a) Denmark.
(b) England.
(c) Norway.
(d) France.

3. What is the Prince of Norway's name?
(a) Horatio.
(b) Claudius.
(c) Marcellus.
(d) Fortinbras.

4. Who does the ghost claim to be?
(a) Hamlet's grandfather.
(b) The ghost of kings of Denmark past.
(c) A tortured spirit.
(d) Hamlet's father.

5. As they wait for the ghost, Hamlet describes the King's nightly tradition. What does Hamlet think about this tradition?
(a) It should help him be a good leader.
(b) It is something he should stop doing now that he is King.
(c) It is an old tradition that every king should follow.
(d) It makes the Danes look bad to other countries.

6. What does Hamlet mean when he says "I will speak daggers to her, but use none."
(a) He will insult Ophelia when he sees her again.
(b) He will speak harshly and honestly to Ophelia, but will not hurt her.
(c) He will speak harshly and honestly to Gertrude, but will not hurt her.
(d) He will try to kill Gertrude.

7. Where does Act 1, Scene 4 take place?
(a) In Hamlet's bedroom.
(b) On the platform.
(c) In the throne room.
(d) On a ship.

8. In Act 1, Scene 1, why does Marcellus bring Horatio to talk to Francisco and Bernardo?
(a) To confirm what they have seen.
(b) To show him his father's ghost.
(c) To tell them the latest gossip about Hamlet.
(d) To cover for them while they take a break.

9. After the ambassadors have left, what piece of writing does Polonius share with Claudius and Gertrude?
(a) A treaty between Norway and Poland.
(b) A love letter from Hamlet to Ophelia.
(c) Hamlet's plan to kill Claudius.
(d) A letter from Hamlet to Fortinbras.

10. At the end of the first act, what does Hamlet warn his friends he might do?
(a) Leave the country forever.
(b) Pretend to be crazy.
(c) Kill somebody.
(d) Get married.

11. What does Claudius say in Act 3, Scene 3 about his own thoughts and words?
(a) His words and thoughts are not enough to convince heaven to forgive him.
(b) He does not speak his thoughts.
(c) His words lie, but his thoughts tell the truth.
(d) He says the right words, but they do not reach heaven because his thoughts are on earth.

12. When Hamlet first sees the ghost, what does he call it?
(a) Devil, demon, bane of Heaven.
(b) Angel and minister of grace.
(c) King, father, royal Dane.
(d) Fearsome creature.

13. At the beginning of Act 2, what does Polonius ask Reynaldo to find out?
(a) Find out if his son is getting enough to eat.
(b) Find out how his son is doing in school.
(c) Find out if his son has a girlfriend.
(d) Find out if his son is behaving appropriately.

14. After hearing about Hamlet's strange behavior, what does Polonius say about his own decisions?
(a) By telling the queen that Hamlet is crazy, he may have upset her.
(b) By telling Ophelia to stay away, he may have saved her from worse treatment.
(c) By telling the king that Hamlet is crazy, he may have gotten himself in trouble.
(d) By telling Ophelia to stay away, he may have made Hamlet worse.

15. After Hamlet's behavior during the play-within-a-play, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to do with Hamlet?
(a) Take him to a doctor.
(b) Kill him.
(c) Take him to England right away.
(d) Take him to England next summer.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hamlet is delighted that the players, a group of traveling actors, are at Elsinore. He welcomes them and asks them for two favors. What are those two favors?

2. When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends?

3. At the start of the play, what are Francisco and Bernardo doing?

4. How does Hamlet react when he sees the ghost for the first time?

5. Before the play is performed, Hamlet has a long conversation with the First Player. What is he telling the Player?

(see the answer keys)

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