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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Claudius say about Laertes and Ophelia's death?
(a) He is afraid Laertes may kill himself because of Ophelia's death.
(b) He is worried Ophelia's death will enrage Laertes.
(c) He knew about Ophelia's death, but did not want to tell Laertes.
(d) He thinks Laertes is responsible for Ophelia's death.

2. What does Ophelia she say about the herb rosemary?
(a) Rosemary stands for thoughts.
(b) The rosemary died when her father died.
(c) Rosemary is her favorite plant.
(d) Rosemary stands for remembrance.

3. Hamlet finally tells Claudius how to find the body of his first victim: "But indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby." How is Hamlet saying that they might find the body?
(a) The body is waiting on the lobby stairs.
(b) Wait a month and you will smell where it is.
(c) Climb the stairs and you will see the body in the lobby.
(d) Wait a month till the ground thaws and the grave will be revealed.

4. What are the Norwegian soldiers fighting over?
(a) An insult.
(b) A king's assassination.
(c) A little piece of worthless land.
(d) A country.

5. Claudius asks Hamlet a second time about where they can find his victim. Hamlet responds, "In heaven; send hither to see: if your messenger find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself." What other place is Hamlet suggesting Claudius visit?
(a) The chapel.
(b) Hell.
(c) The graveyard.
(d) Gertrude's bedroom.

6. What does Claudius ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do, after learning that Hamlet has committed murder?
(a) Protect Ophelia from Hamlet.
(b) Find Hamlet so the guards can arrest him.
(c) Get the body from Hamlet.
(d) Protect Getrude from Hamlet.

7. When Claudius hears that Hamlet has killed someone, what does he say?
(a) Hamlet is a brave man.
(b) Hamlet might have killed him.
(c) Hamlet needs to be sent to jail.
(d) Hamlet needs to be executed.

8. What do the gravediggers say about Ophelia's burial?
(a) She should have been getting married, not buried.
(b) It is a shame that someone so young is dead.
(c) Her burial should get more ceremony and more attention than it is receiving.
(d) If she is a suicide, so she should not be buried in the churchyard.

9. Watching the troops attacking, Hamlet decides that he is less of a man than their leader. Why does he say that?
(a) Hamlet was never in the army, unlike the troops' leader.
(b) The leader is a common man, while Hamlet is a prince.
(c) He has a better reason to fight than the leader, but he does not fight.
(d) Hamlet has only killed one man and the leader has killed many.

10. After talking to Hamlet in her room, what does Gertrude say about Hamlet?
(a) He is determined to get revenge.
(b) He is not crazy.
(c) He is crazy.
(d) He is mad with love for Ophelia.

11. When Hamlet leaves his mother's room in Act 3, Scene 4, what does he take with him?
(a) A portrait of his dead father.
(b) The dead body of Claudius.
(c) A portrait of his mother.
(d) The dead body of Polonius.

12. After witnessing Hamlet kill someone, Gertrude hurries to find Claudius. Who is he talking to when she comes in?
(a) Laertes and Ophelia.
(b) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
(c) Laertes.
(d) The ambassadors to Norway.

13. When Hamlet first sees Laertes in the graveyard scene, what does Hamlet say about him?
(a) He is a noble youth.
(b) He is just like his father and not to be trusted.
(c) He is always mean to his sister.
(d) He is an arrogant, bossy man.

14. How does Hamlet manage to avoid his fate in England?
(a) He killed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
(b) He bribed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
(c) He got onto another ship.
(d) He made friends with the English queen.

15. Who are the Norwegian soldiers attacking?
(a) Sweden.
(b) Poland.
(c) Denmark.
(d) England.

Short Answer Questions

1. Claudius tells Laertes there are two reasons why he has not ordered Hamlet killed. What are those reasons?

2. In the letter that the sailors deliver in Act 4, Scene 6, it says: "when thou shalt have overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the king: they have letters for him." What is the writer of the letter asking?

3. As Gertrude lays flowers at Ophelia's grave, what does she say?

4. What is Hamlet's response when Claudius demands to know where the body of Hamlet's murdered victim is?

5. While explaining Hamlet's crime to his courtiers, why does Claudius say he has to be gentle with Hamlet?

(see the answer keys)

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