View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After hearing Ophelia's description of Hamlet, what reason does Polonius suggest for Hamlet's strange behavior?
(a) Hamlet is mad with love for Ophelia.
(b) Hamlet has studied too hard at school.
(c) Hamlet is taking his father's death too hard.
(d) Hamlet has always been a strange boy and his father's death has driven him insane.

2. At the start of the play, what are Francisco and Bernardo doing?
(a) They are fighting in a battle.
(b) They are eating a meal together.
(c) They are on watch.
(d) They are getting ready to go to sleep.

3. What message do the ambassadors bring Claudius back from Norway?
(a) Fortinbras wants to take over Denmark and Poland.
(b) Fortinbras wants to take over Denmark.
(c) Fortinbras will attack Poland, not Denmark.
(d) Fortinbras does not plan to attack any country at all.

4. In Act 1, Scene 3, where is Laertes going?
(a) To live in another country.
(b) Off to war.
(c) To go to a new school.
(d) Back to college.

5. As Claudius speaks about his guilt in Act 3, Scene 3, what does he say about repenting?
(a) Only the weak repent.
(b) He wants to repent, but cannot tell anyone what he has done.
(c) He cannot repent because he still has the crown and the queen -- the two things he did the murder for.
(d) He is sure that heaven will forgive him for his crime.

6. At the end of Act 2, Scene 2, what does Hamlet reveal about his reasons for wanting the players to perform?
(a) He wants to use the play to test Claudius's conscience.
(b) He thinks the play will remind Gertrude of her first husband.
(c) He thinks the players are very talented.
(d) He thinks the play will distract him.

7. After the ghost disappears, what does Bernardo say about the ghost's behavior?
(a) It looks like it is in pain.
(b) It looks like it wants to scare people.
(c) It looks like it is crying.
(d) It looks like it wants to speak.

8. During "The Mousetrap," Gertrude says, "The lady protests too much, methinks." What is she talking about?
(a) The Player Queen swearing her loyalty to her second husband.
(b) Ophelia swearing her loyalty to Hamlet.
(c) The Player Queen swearing her loyalty to her first husband.
(d) Gertrude is speaking about her own claims of love for Claudius.

9. What shocking news does the ghost deliver to Hamlet in Act 1, Scene 5?
(a) Laertes killed Hamlet's father.
(b) Hamlet's mother killed Hamlet's father.
(c) Ophelia killed Hamlet's father.
(d) Claudius killed Hamlet's father.

10. During their first conversation, what does the ghost tell Hamlet about his mother?
(a) What happened is her fault.
(b) Protect her from the murderer.
(c) Do not blame her for what happened.
(d) She is a good woman.

11. After his first meeting with the ghost, what does Hamlet ask his friends to do?
(a) Tell the world about the last king's death.
(b) Help him avenge the murder.
(c) Help him break the news to his mother.
(d) Keep his secret.

12. In Act 1, Scene 3, before Laertes leaves Elsinore, Polonius gives him advice about clothes. What does Polonius say?
(a) Nobody pays attention to what you wear.
(b) Get costly, but not showy or ostentatious clothes.
(c) Buy the least expensive clothes you can find.
(d) Buy the fanciest clothes you can find.

13. What does Hamlet learn about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's reasons for visiting Elsinore?
(a) They were sent for by Polonius.
(b) They were sent for by the king.
(c) They came to see his father's funeral.
(d) They came to visit him.

14. After the play is performed, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Ask the players to leave Elsinore.
(b) Go see Ophelia.
(c) Go see Claudius.
(d) Go see his mother.

15. What does Hamlet say when he first hears about the ghost?
(a) He thinks Horatio is inventing it to distract him.
(b) He wants it to leave him alone.
(c) He does not believe it exists.
(d) He wants to talk to it.

Short Answer Questions

1. After Hamlet's behavior during the play-within-a-play, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to do with Hamlet?

2. What time of day is it when the play starts?

3. Before he returns to school, what does Laertes tell Ophelia about her boyfriend?

4. What does Claudius say in Act 3, Scene 3 about his own thoughts and words?

5. Hamlet says of Claudius: "He took my father grossly, full of bread; With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May." What does Hamlet mean by that?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 841 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample