Hamlet Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 174 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.

Hamlet Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 174 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.
Buy the Hamlet Lesson Plans
Name: _________________________ Period: ___________________

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. At the end of the first act, what does Hamlet warn his friends he might do?

3. What is the King doing during Act 1, Scene 4?

4. In Act 2, Scene 1, why is Ophelia frightened?

5. What other "crime" has been committed against the last king?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Laertes leaves in Act 1, Scene 3, Polonius and Ophelia have a private talk. What specific instruction or order does Polonius give Ophelia?

2. The first time Claudius appears on stage, he gives a speech describing the current state of affairs in Denmark. He identifies and explains three major events. What are those events?

3. In Act 1, Scene 2, how does Hamlet act toward Claudius and Gertrude? When he is left alone, what does he say about his feelings toward them?

4. After the play-within-a-play, where is Hamlet asked to go? Who asks him to go there?

5. What does Claudius learn about Norway when the Ambassadors he sent at the beginning of the play return?

6. What is the setting (time and place) of Act 1, Scene 4?

7. At the end of Act 1, Scene 1, what does Horatio say he will do next?

8. Why does Claudius claim he cannot seek forgiveness for his crimes?

9. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's appearance?

10. When Hamlet rants about love and marriage to Ophelia, he is talking about more than just his own relationship with her. What else is Hamlet talking about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In 1887, Lord Action wrote, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Do you think Shakespeare would agree? Use examples from the play to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

One of the major themes in the play is connected to ears, hearing, and trusting what you hear. Identify one or two important moments in each act when that theme comes up. Explain the moment, why it is important, and how it contributes to the overall theme.

Essay Topic 3

At the start of the play, Hamlet is mourning his father's death and his mother's hasty re-marriage. It is hard to remember, sometimes, that Hamlet has actually lost something else quite valuable: the throne. Hamlet never consistently expresses unhappiness at losing the throne, though he is reassured he can have it after Claudius's death. How would the play be different if Hamlet wanted to kill Claudius to gain control of the kingdom?

(see the answer keys)

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