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- 1. Multiple Choice
Out of the following, what is not a notable
theme in the play?
Decay and Corruption
Sanity vs. Insanity
Ideal vs. Reality
Friendship vs. Romance
Action vs. Inaction
- 2. Multiple Choice
Out of the following, what is not a notable
motif in the play?
Instruments
Weeds
Ears
Misogyny
- 3. Multiple Choice
During Shakespeare’s time, what was the
general societal belief about people who got revenge?
They were the most intelligent.
They were the best leaders.
They would become angels.
They would be condemned to hell.
- 4. Multiple Choice
As a result of a prior conflict Denmark is now
in possession of Norway at the beginning of the play. It
was heard that which character was especially angry
about this situation and wanted revenge?
Laertes
Fortinbras
Osric
Polonius
- 5. Multiple Choice
What is not an element seen in a typical
revenge tragedy?
Ghost
Madness
Play within a play
Physical horrors
Weddings
- 6. Multiple Choice
What does Horatio think about the sighting
of King Hamlet’s ghost?
It’s good to know that we can make contact
with the dead.
It means that he should question Gertrude.
It’s an omen of bad things to come.
It’s too frightening to view.
- 7. Multiple Choice
What does Claudius permit Laertes to do but
prevent Hamlet from doing?
Return to college
Have a girlfriend
Join the army
Travel around Europe
- 8. Multiple Choice
What does Claudius say about Hamlet’s grief
over his father’s death?
It’s justified.
It’s unmanly.
It’s fake.
It makes his mother sad too.
- 9. Multiple Choice
What seems to be Polonius’ opinion of
Hamlet, as evidenced in his advice for Ophelia?
Hamlet just wants to use Ophelia for sex.
Hamlet would be a better leader than
Claudius.
Hamlet will be a good choice of husband
for Ophelia.
Hamlet cares too much about his studies
and isn’t interested in Ophelia.
- 10. Multiple Choice
What is notable about Polonius saying to
Laertes, “to thine own self be true”?
He had just given Laertes many bits of
advice about what he should and should
not do.
Claudius prevents Polonius from being
himself, so he wants his son to be
independent.
He was just saying it to make Hamlet
jealous.
Laertes is known for never telling the truth.
- 11. Multiple Choice
It is revealed that Claudius killed King Hamlet
in what way?
Claudius stabbed King Hamlet.
Claudius put glass in King Hamlet’s food.
Claudius poured poison in King Hamlet’s
ear.
Claudius wounded King Hamlet in a fistfight
and then pushed him off a boat into the
ocean, where he drowned.
- 12. Multiple Choice
Out of the following, what is indicated as a
favorite pastime of Claudius?
Drinking alcohol and feasting
Watching plays
Fencing
Praying
- 13. Multiple Choice
The true nature of Polonius’ character is
emphasized when he sends Reynaldo to do what to
Laertes?
Force him to break up with his girlfriend
Give him money
Spy on him
Poison him
- 14. Multiple Choice
Polonius initially draws the conclusion
that Hamlet’s “madness” is the result of what cause?
His romantic and sexual obsession with
Ophelia
His knowledge of Claudius’ guilt
His ingestion of drugs
Inheriting madness from Gertrude
- 15. Multiple Choice
Why is it ironic that Polonius says that
“brevity is the soul of wit”?
He seems to lack a soul.
He isn’t funny.
He rambles when he speaks.
He’s a liar.
- 16. Multiple Choice
Why, most likely, does Hamlet refer to
Polonius as a “fishmonger”?
Hamlet’s losing his mind and doesn’t
recognize people formerly familiar to him.
Polonius is ranked beneath him.
He’s making reference to a slang term that
would suggest that Polonius is easily
persuaded by others.
He’s making reference to a slang term that
would suggest that Polonius is controlling
Ophelia to further his own interests.
- 17. Multiple Choice
Why did Claudius most likely choose
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to be the ones who
would spy on Hamlet?
Hamlet trusts them because they are old
friends.
They gamble with Hamlet and know about
his bad habits.
They told Hamlet they’re seeking
employment within the court, so he expects
them to be around.
They are working off debts to Claudius.
- 18. Multiple Choice
What kind of writing does Shakespeare
use to indicate Hamlet’s “crazy” moments?
Blank verse
Bob and wheel verse
Prose
Sonnet
- 19. Multiple Choice
What is Hamlet’s ultimate goal when he
hires actors to perform a play at the castle?
He wants Claudius to reveal his guilt.
He wants to Ophelia to recognize
similarities between her own life and the
play.
He wants Polonius to fall asleep.
He wants Gertrude to be embarrassed.
- 20. Multiple Choice
In his “To be, or not to be” soliloquy, what
is not a reason that Hamlet gives for continuing to live?
We can always find something to laugh
about.
Death is similar to sleep, and dreams can be
disturbing, so maybe death is disturbing
too.
We’re scared of what comes after death
because it’s unknown.
We can’t return from death.
- 21. Multiple Choice
What errand does Claudius decide to
send Hamlet to do (so he can get him out of the way)?
Take care of some political responsibilities
Take out the trash
Go to Norway to confront Fortinbras Jr.
Put flowers on King Hamlet’s grave
- 22. Multiple Choice
What’s the best way to characterize the
language Hamlet uses towards Ophelia while they are
preparing to watch the play?
Apologetic
Romantic
Vulgar
Vengeful
- 23. Multiple Choice
What is not a reason that Claudius gives
in his soliloquy for why he killed King Hamlet?
He wanted to be with Gertrude.
He wanted the royal crown. He wanted the royal crown.
He was ambitious.
He was afraid that King Hamlet would kill
him.
- 24. Multiple Choice
Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius after he
rushes away from the play?
There are witnesses.
Claudius is praying.
Claudius is armed.
Hamlet is afraid of going to hell for taking
revenge.
- 25. Multiple Choice
What remark does Hamlet make that
suggests he knew it was Polonius behind the tapestry
before he stabbed through it?
Hamlet sarcastically tells Gertrude to just be
true to herself.
Hamlet says explicit comments about his
relationship with Ophelia.
Hamlet yelled about a rat making the noise.
Hamlet says that he can’t remember the
tapestry ever having feet.
- 26. Multiple Choice
Why does Hamlet back down from his
tirade against Gertrude in her room?
The ghost of King Hamlet returns to advise
him.
He feels guilty about hurting Gertrude’s
feelings.
He is afraid that Polonius’ spirit will take
revenge on him.
He fears that Claudius will have him
executed.
- 27. Multiple Choice
Hamlet says that this person is a “sponge”
who is just being used to absorb information and
rewards and will soon be discarded.
Polonius
Rosencrantz
Ophelia
Laertes
- 28. Multiple Choice
After speaking with the captain in
Fortinbras’s army, what conclusion does Hamlet reach
about his revenge against Claudius?
He must pursue it for the honor.
He will let Claudius suffer with his guilt
instead of taking revenge.
He will be doomed to hell if he pursues it.
He must forgive Claudius.
- 29. Multiple Choice
How is Laertes’ response to his father’s
death different from Hamlet’s reaction to his own
father’s death?
Laertes attempts to remains calm and stoic.
Laertes expresses his anger.
Laertes and his father were not close, so it
does not affect him.
Laertes blames the women for his father’s
death.
- 30. Multiple Choice
What is the cause of Ophelia’s death?
Strangulation
Tuberculosis
Drowning
Burns
- 31. Multiple Choice
How does Hamlet react to Ophelia’s
death?
He says that he loved her very much.
He says that he never actually loved her.
He says that she was the most perfect
person in Denmark.
He says that she was the root of all evil.
- 32. Multiple Choice
Why do we know that Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern will be dead?
Hamlet altered an official letter to order
their deaths.
Hamlet pushed them off the boat during
the night.
Claudius had them beheaded once he
received their reports.
Laertes plans to take revenge against
anyone who failed to protect his father.
- 33. Multiple Choice
What person does not die in the final
scene?
Hamlet
Osric
Claudius
Laertes
Gertrude
- 34. Multiple Choice
What does Hamlet instruct Horatio to do?
Commit suicide
Flee to England
Kill Claudius
Tell Hamlet’s story
- 35. Multiple Choice
Who will likely be the new king of
Denmark?
Fortinbras
Osric
Horatio
Laertes
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