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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Hamlet act after he has killed someone?
(a) He does not seem sorry for his crime.
(b) He is frightened that someone will now try to kill him.
(c) He is sorry for his crime.
(d) He is relieved to have finally done something.

2. As Gertrude lays flowers at Ophelia's grave, what does she say?
(a) She is sorry Ophelia died so young.
(b) She is glad Ophelia will be with her father now.
(c) She hoped Ophelia and Hamlet would marry.
(d) She believes Ophelia is now an angel.

3. The sailors from the pirate ships deliver letters to Elsinore. Who are the letters from?
(a) Horatio.
(b) Gertrude.
(c) Hamlet.
(d) Laertes.

4. As the funeral procession makes it way through the graveyard, Hamlet notices there are "maimed rites." What does that signify?
(a) That the person who died was poor.
(b) That the person died from the plague.
(c) That the person died by suicide.
(d) That the person who died was very old.

5. What is Hamlet's response when Claudius demands to know where the body of Hamlet's murdered victim is?
(a) The victim is not really dead and is eating supper in the castle.
(b) The worms are eating the victim for supper.
(c) The victim is eating supper in Hell.
(d) The victim is eating supper in Heaven.

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

7. 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?
(a) Help the sailors get in to see Claudius.
(b) This letter is meant for the king. You should not read it.
(c) Give the sailors a tip for delivering the letters.
(d) Help the sailors get in to see the dead king's body.

8. At the start of Act 4, Scene 4, the audience finally sees a character that has been talked about since the start of the play. Who is this character?
(a) Laertes.
(b) Fortinbras.
(c) Bernardo.
(d) Captain.

9. When Hamlet and his mother finally talk in Gertrude's room, she says, "Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended." Hamlet responds, "Mother, you have my father much offended." Why is that dialogue important?
(a) Gertrude is using the dead king to force Hamlet to behave himself.
(b) Hamlet has decided to act crazy even with his mother.
(c) Gertrude is talking about the dead king, but Hamlet is talking about Claudius.
(d) Getrude is talking about Claudius, but Hamlet is talking about the dead king.

10. At the end of the play, who will rule Denmark?
(a) Laertes.
(b) Fortinbras.
(c) Horatio.
(d) Hamlet.

11. The first time the audience sees Hamlet after he has killed someone, he says "Safely stowed." What does he mean?
(a) He has convinced his mother to help him.
(b) He has hidden the body.
(c) He has scared Ophelia away from him forever.
(d) He has established proof that he is crazy.

12. How does Gertrude die?
(a) Hamlet kills her with a poisoned sword.
(b) Laertes kills her with a poisoned sword.
(c) She drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet.
(d) She kills herself by drowning.

13. After reading the letters brought by the sailors in Act 4, Scene 6, what does Horatio say he wants to do?
(a) Go get Hamlet.
(b) Tell Claudius about Hamlet.
(c) Wait until Hamlet arrives in Elsinore.
(d) Tell Gertrude about Hamlet.

14. Where does Claudius want the body of Hamlet's first victim to be taken?
(a) To the chapel.
(b) To the doctor.
(c) To the police.
(d) To the graveyard.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ophelia she say about the herb rosemary?

2. What happens to Horatio at the end of the play?

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

4. What do the gravediggers say about Ophelia's burial?

5. Who does Hamlet kill in his mother's room?

(see the answer keys)

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