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

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of Act 4, Scene 5, what does Claudius offer to do for Laertes?

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

3. What does Polonius tell Gertrude to do in Act 3, Scene 4 regarding Hamlet?

4. After reading the letters brought by the sailors in Act 4, Scene 6, what does Horatio say he wants to do?

5. Laertes comes up with another idea to make sure his duel with Hamlet will result in Hamlet's death. What is it?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the end of the play, we learn of the death of two minor characters. Who are they, and how do we learn of their death?

2. After Polonius's death, who is sent to find Hamlet?

3. When Claudius hears about Polonius's death, what is his first thought?

4. Hamlet finally confronts his mother in Act 3, Scene 4, speaking harshly to her as he tries to force her to realize her own complicity in the crime. What happens to change his tone?

5. How does Hamlet suggest that Claudius and his servants might find Polonius's body?

6. When Hamlet hears about Fortinbras and his attacks on Poland, what does he say about Fortinbras and about himself?

7. Who is the first person in Elsinore to find out that Hamlet is on his way back to Denmark instead of going to England? How does that person find out?

8. After Polonius's death, what does Gertrude tell Claudius about Hamlet?

9. In Act 4, Scene 5, Claudius is almost overthrown by a violent mob. Who does the mob want to be king in his place?

10. Who is Yorick, and why does he come up in Act 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia, focusing on the following points:

-- To what extent is each of them a victim of what happens?

-- To what extent does each of them cause what happens?

-- Does Gertrude affect Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia? If so, how? Does Ophelia affect Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude? If so, how?

-- How do the other men in the play treat Gertrude and Ophelia? How does that contribute to our overall sense of them? Focus specifically on the ghost, Claudius, Laertes, and Polonius.

-- Does it matter that these are essentially the only two female characters in the play? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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