The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Test Questions
From Shakespeare Wiki
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Study Guide
Questions linked to lines in text which answer the same.
[edit] Essay Questions
[edit] Question: Analysis two monologues from "Hamlet" to highlight his mental state.
Guide:
This link (www.tailsntales.com/eng/sha/ham/tex/sel_5.html#anchor227510) is to Hamlet's best known soliloquy or monologue. Everyone who has ever entered a college football stadium can at least quote from Shakes.' most famous play, "To be, or not to be." This phrase has become a war-cry of desperation and determination. What follows is slightly more arcane, however Hamlet's suicidal disposition (melancholy, depression), first expressed in I,ii,12(www.tailsntales.com/eng/sha/ham/tex/sel_1.html#anchor273582) is clearly evident as he lists and descries the "pains" of life. However, where here and elsewhere he is bitter concerning the drawbacks of education (www.tailsntales.com/eng/sha/ham/tex/sel_5.html#anchor232002), later he will rejoice that he learned to read and write when he forges an order to have R. and G. killed, and replaces the order written by Claudius to kill him with it.- V,ii,12 (www.tailsntales.com/eng/sha/ham/tex/sel_10.html#anchor256942). www.tailsntales.com/eng/sha/ham/tex/sel_5.html#anchor210219 is a link to another of his damnations directed against the articulate and expressive verbiage at which he excels. In fact, the actor portraying Hamlet was dressed as a college student, often sporting that particular student's cap fashionable on the campuses of German Universities. Thus, Hamlet has won the hearts of students everywhere for five centuries.
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ACT I, SCENE I
Plot Summary
What is Elsinore the name of?
[1]
What is the name of the watchman on stage as Act I opens?
[2]
Does Bernardo relieve Francisco in the opening action of the play?
[3]
Is the weather inclement or balmy during the scene? Is it cold or warm?
[4]
Who departs the watch, and who stays to greet Marcellus and Horatio?
[5]
What does Horatio believe the apparition to be?
[6]
Who has seen the apparition before the time of the action at hand?
[7]
Why has Marcellus brought Horatio along with him?
[8]
What appears to the three men?.
[9]
What is Horatio's occupation, besides soldiering?
[10]
What does Horatio ask the ghost?
[11]
How is the ghost likened to dead King Hamlet?
[12]
How many times and when has the ghost appeared according to Marcellus?
[13]
Is the appearance of the ghost a favorable, portentous or ill omen?
[14]
What is Horatio's response to Marcellus' question as to why the watch, as well as the making of armaments?
[15]
Who did King Hamlet slay?
[16]
Would even-odds wager fit the description of "moiety competent?"
[17]
Did the King slain by old King Hamlet have a son?
[18]
Is his intent to recover the patrimony lost by his father, when he fell to King Hamlet?
[19]
Does Bernardo believe the reason that the ghost of King Hamlet appears because it is the first cause for the impending war?
[20]
Who does Horatio believe the spirit will speak to?
[21]
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ACT I, SCENE II
Plot Summary
How does Claudius describe his relationship with dead King Hamlet?
[22]
How does he apologize for the wedding which followed upon the heels of King Hamlet's death?
[23]
What is young Fortinbras' message to King Claudius?
[24]
Who rules the lands where young Fortinbras is subject?
[25]
Who does Claudius dispatch thence to put a stop to young Fortinbras' ambitions?
[26]
Why has Laertes returned to Denmark from France?
[27]
Does King Claudius allow Laertes his wish?
[28]
What does Hamlet intend to mean by saying that Claudius is "more than kin."
[29]
What does Hamlet indicate he contains which surpasses all shows described before?
[30]
Who does King Claudius suggest that Hamlet view as he did his father, and who does he indicate is next in line to throne?
[31]
Do King Claudius and Queen Gertrude allow Hamlet to return to Wittenberg University to continue his educaton?
[32]
First Soliloquy
Why reason does Hamlet give for not committing suicide at this juncture?
[33]
What sorts of things possess the world, according to Hamlet?
[34]
How long has King Hamlet been deceased before the events current in the play?
[35]
What is a “Hyperion?”
[36]
What is Hamlet’s opinion of women in general, particularly his mother?
[37]
How long after King Hamlet’s death was it before Claudius and Gertrude married?
[38]
Why does Hamlet say the marriage is incestuous? (You will have to go this link to answer this one
Note on incest
[39]
End of First Soliloquy
What does Hamlet say he’ll trade with Horatio?
[40]
What does Horatio give as his reason for visiting Elsinore from Wittenberg?
[41]
What does Hamlet promise to teach Horatio?
[42]
What is a “mind’s eye?’
[43]
How does Hamlet learn that his father “lives on,” or rather his ghost walks the night?
[44]
How does Horatio describe the ghost of Hamlet’s father?
[45]
When did Horatio say the ghost of Hamlet’s father vanished?
[46]
How did Horatio say the ghost wore his hat (beaver)?
[47]
According to Horatio, how long did the ghost remain?
[48]
How did Horatio say the ghost seemed? Did he appear angry, sorrowful or indifferent? Was he pale or ruddy?
[49]
When did the ghost withdraw according to Horatio?
[50]
What color was the ghost’s beard according to Horatio?
[51]
Second Soliloquy -
What does Hamlet suspect?
[52]
What is Hamlet’s opinion concerning the destiny of “foul deeds?”
[53]
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Act I, Scene III
Plot Summary
How is Laertes planning to make the journey to Paris?
[54]
What does Laertes advise his sister concerning Hamlet’s attentions?
[55]
When are “contagious blastments” most likely to strike according to Laertes?
[56]
How does Ophelia respond?
[57]
What does Ophelia liken Laertes’ advice to?
[58]
Why does Laertes believe his departure auspicious?
[59]
What is Polonius’ opinion of borrowing and lending money?
[60]
Who is to keep the key to Ophelia’s memory of Laertes’ advice?
[61]
What is the “truth” concerning the relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet?
[62]
What are the meanings of the word “tender” as used by Polonius in his advice to his daughter?
[63]
Hamlet’s fiery protests of love must not be taken for what, according to Polonius?
[64]
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ACT I, SCENE IV
Plot Summary
Where might be found Hamlet, Marcellus and Horatio at the beginning of this act?
[65]
What does the practice of drinking do to the reputation of the Danes, according to Hamlet?
[66]
Why do critics call this passage the statement of Aristotle’s “Tragic Flaw” (Harmatia) theory?
[67]
Harmatia
When the ghost appears to the three and beckons Hamlet to follow, why does Horatio beg Hamlet to refuse and remain with them?
[68]
According to the ghost, what now wears the crown of Denmark?
[69]
What did the ghost state could be linked to a radiant angel, yet prey upon garbage?
[70]
What made his death particularly difficult, according to King Hamlet’s ghost?
[71]
What is the ghost’s advice concerning Hamlet’s ongoing relationship with his mother?
[72]
What does Hamlet now believe concerning the smiles given him by his uncle?
[73]
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ACT II, SCENE I
Plot Summary
What does Polonius tell Reynaldo to say about his son, Laertes?
[74]
Why does Polonius tell Reynaldo he should do this?
[75]
What is the bait that takes the “carp of truth.”
[76]
How does Hamlet appear (come into her presence) to Ophelia according to her?
[77]
What does Polonius believe the reason for Hamlet’s condition to be?
[78]
Did Ophelia obey her father’s advice?
[79]
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Act II, Scene II
A Room in the Castle
Plot Summary
Who sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
[80]
How long had Rosencrantz and Guildenstern known Hamlet?
[81]
What is the outcome of Voltimand’s (the ambassadors’) trip to Norway?
[82]
Who will Fortinbras employ his soldiers against as a result of the will of his King, and how will he reach the battlefield?
[83]
What does Polonius believe the cause of Hamlet’s madness to be?
[84]
After Lord Polonius’ meeting with Queen Gertrude, there follows a meeting between Hamlet and Polonius. What does Hamlet call Polonius? Does he really not know him?
[85]
Why does Polonius believe that Hamlet’s replies are so wonderfully wise (pregnant)?
[86]
What is it that Hamlet will part with more readily than the great lord’s leave (permission to depart his presence)?
[87]
Why does Rosencrantz believe that Hamlet feels Denmark a prison?
[88]
Hamlet states that beggars have bodies, while monarchs and heroes are their shadows. What did Rosencrantz say to illicit this observation?
[89]
What does Guilderstern give as his reason for their (R. and G.’s ) presence at Elsinore?
[90]
What does Hamlet admit to R. and G. as far as his illness is concerned?
[91]
What is Hamlet’s learned opinion concerning the condition of mankind in general?
[92]
Why does R. say he laughed when Hamlet told him he was no longer pleased with humanity?
[93]
Which of these is not part of the group welcomed to the court by Hamlet to entertain all?
List: Adventurous knight; lover; dwarf; humorous man, clown.
[94]
What does Hamlet consider the effect of travel on reputation and profit?
[95]
Why does Rosencrantz say the players were forced to take to the road?
[96]
What was the only condition that a producer would hire a playwright given the conditions of the stage at the time?
[97]
Before Claudius acceded to the Crown of Denmark, what might expect from Danish subjects while “out on the town?”
[98]
In what does Hamlet say his mother and uncle-father are deceived in?
[99]
How does he accuse Polonius of senility?
[100]
What has Polonius come to tell Hamlet?
[101]
What does Polonius say the actors are best for?
[102]
What Biblical figure does Hamlet compare Lord Polonius to, and why?
[103]
What does Hamlet say concerning fate?
[104]
What does Hamlet liken the voice of a now-grown actress to?
[105]
What does Hamlet say the play attended previously was to the general public?
[106]
What did Hamlet say the play lacked that might have made the matter, the argument of it more “digestible.”
[107]
What is the name by which the “Hyrcanian beast” is better known?
[108]
What did Hecuba, the Trojan Queen, take upon her head instead of a diadem?
[109]
What would be better to have than the ill report of the players?
[110]
How does Hamlet advise Lord Polonius to treat the players?
[111]
What does Hamlet warn the players not to do after advising them to follow Lord Polonius?
[112]
Hamlet’s Third Soliloquy
What does Hamlet compare himself to in this soliloquy and why?
[113]
[114]
Why does Hamlet envy the skills of the actor?
[115]
What is Hamlet’s plan, as told the audience in this soliloquy?
[116]
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ACT III, SCENE I
A room in the castle.
Plot Summary
How does Hamlet keep aloof from R. and G., thereby protecting his secret?
[117]
What does Claudius say about his and Polonius’ spying?
[118]
Why does Polonius instruct Ophelia on the ways in which people “sugar o’er” wickedness? (Exercise and devotion)
[119]
Claudius, on overhearing the speech says what to the audience?
[120]
Hamlet’s Fourth Soliloquy –
[121]
Why is life calamitous?
[122]
What makes humans cowardly?
[123]
End of Question on Third Soliloquy
What did Hamlet say when Ophelia tried to return the tokens of love he had given her previously?
[124]
What causes rich gifts to lose their value in the recipient’s mind, according to Ophelia?
[125]
Did Hamlet ever love Ophelia?
[126]
After Polonius has proposed to stage a meeting between Hamlet and his mother, just as he has with Hamlet and Ophelia, what does he propose to do?
[127]
What does Polonius propose to King Claudius concerning Hamlet’s fate?
[128]
What does Claudius say in response?
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ACT III, SCENE II
Plot Summary
How does Hamlet advise the players to act?
[129]
How long does Ophelia say it has been since King Hamlet's death?
[130]
What is the epitaph of the hobby-horse and how is it compared with King Hamlet?
[131]
What part did Lord Polonius play when he was an actor in college?
[132]
What was Hamlet's opinion of the murder of Caesar? Is this another allusion to the death of his father-King? Does Hamlet himself take upon himself this "brute part" unknowingly and tragically, one mistake begetting another?
[133]
Why does Hamlet choose to sit beside Ophelia while "attending" the play?
[134]
How does Hamlet correct himself after making a thinly-veiled reference to love-making?
[135]
What is "le droit de Manor" and is this why Ophelia accedes to Hamlet's request to lay his head upon her lap after insulting her and treating her so harshly?
[136]
Variously, what are all the estimations of the time between King Hamlet's death and the wedding?
What are all the estimations of the time between King Hamlet's death and play?
Two hours before the play began - Hamlet
[137]
Twice two months or four months before the play began - Ophelia
Two months ago - Hamlet correct by Ophelia -
[138]
Two months dead - Hamlet
[139]
Wedding was within a month of the death - Hamlet
[140]
et seq
What is a "dumb show?" What does it "import," or summarize the important parts of?
[141]
The player-Queen, having professed love after thirty years of marriage than confesses. How does she do so?
[142]
How does King Claudius feel about the play?
[143]
How does Guilderstern pose the invitation to speak with his mother to Hamlet?
[144]
After showing him the flute, what does Hamlet accuse Rosencrantz of doing?
[145]
How does Hamlet say he's faring?
[146]
Is he, in his own opinion any better off that R. and G.?
[147]
What reason does Hamlet give Rosencrantz for his unhappy state of mind? What is the proverb Hamlet quotes to explain his behavior?
[148]
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Act III, Scene III
A room in the castle.
Plot Summary
Why does Claudius decide to send Hamlet away?
[149]
Where does Polonius propose to hide himself from view when Hamlet visits his mother?
[150]
Why can’t Claudius pray?
[151]
What binds Claudius to the murder?
[152]
What says Claudius concerning justice above and here below?
[153]
Why does Hamlet not want to execute the revenge ordered by his father on his uncle while Claudius manages his prayers?
[154]
How now stands King Hamlet’s chances for eternal life, as promised by Jesus Christ?
[155]
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Act III, Scene IV
Plot Summary
What does Lord Polonius advise Gertrude?
[156]
Does Gertrude indicate a willingness to hand over Hamlet to the “authorities” with this line?
[157]
Does Hamlet accuse his mother of being insane? How?
[158]
Why has the ghost revisited Hamlet now, even in the absence of being seen by Gertrude?
[159]
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ACT IV, SCENE I
Plot Summary
Does Gertrude keep her promise to Hamlet to not breathe a word of what transpired between them (including Polonius’ murder), but to say rather that Hamlet is sane, and feigning madness?
[160]
What does Claudius say will be done concerning Hamlet’s crime?
[161]
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ACT IV, SCENE II
Plot Summary
What does Hamlet call Rosencrantz?
[162]
Does he perceive now that R. has been “deputized,” that is made an officer of the King?
[163]
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ACT IV, SCENE III
Plot Summary
Why does Claudius say that he must not put “the strong arm of the law upon him?”
[164]
Where does Hamlet say Polonius is?
[165]
How does Hamlet reason that a King may progress through the guts of a beggar?
[166]
Where does Hamlet say he has secreted the body?
[167]
Why does Hamlet address Claudius as “mother?”
[168]
What does Claudius warn “England” to do with regard to Hamlet?
[169]
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ACT IV, SCENE IV
Plot Summary
What does Fortinbras’ intend by appearing as he does “before the walls of Elsinore?”
[170]
Who does the captain he sends to deliver his proposition meet on the way and what are they doing?
[171]
What is the purpose or mission of Fortinbras’ army?
[172]
What does it mean, “to pay five ducats, I would not farm it?”
[173]
Why does Hamlet call the war an impostume (inward boil), a disease born of peace?
[174]
Hamlet’s Fifth Soliloquy
What does Hamlet believe lowers mankind to the level of the beasts?
[175]
What does Hamlet say is the drawback of precise or literal thinking?
[176]
Where or with what does greatness lie according to Hamlet?
[177]
How does he compare himself with his own standard?
[178]
What is it that Hamlet says draws on Fortinbras’ army, even to their deaths?
[179]
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ACT IV, SCENE V
Plot Summary
What does Gertrude start off by saying, and with reference to whom?
[180]
What does Horatio state that Ophelia may strew and where?
[181]
What is guilt full of according to Gertrude?
[182]
How could a maid come in, but not go out of a chamber? Is the meaning of maid the same as virgin in this passage?
[183]
Do these lines confirm this interpretation?
[184]
How was Polonius buried?
[185]
How has Laertes arrived from France, and what will he find plenty of?
[186]
What does Claudius compare the unfolding drama to?
[187]
Who are the Danish people crying out for to be at their head?
[188]
When Claudius begs Laertes to be calm, what does Laertes respond that quiet blood would imply?
[189]
How does Laertes propose to pay for the long, drawn-out task of obtaining revenge?
[190]
What does Claudius say with regard to his guilt in the death of Polonius?
[191]
How does Laertes characterize his sister’s sense; her wits?
[192]
According to Laertes, had Ophelia argued him into taking revenge, would she have had any more affect than her child-like ramblings?
[193]
Are these lines indication that Hamlet has “stolen” Ophelia, and in what sense?
[194]
What are the particular things which Laertes protests concerning his father’s death?
[195]
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ACT IV, SCENE VI
Plot Summary
How did Hamlet happen to return to Denmark?
[196]
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ACT IV, SCENE VII
Plot Summary
Why does Claudius say he has not proceeded against Hamlet in the Courts, as by trial?
[197]
What does Hamlet ask in writing of Claudius?
[198]
What does he mean when he states that he is “naked.”
What is Laertes’ reaction to Hamlet’s statement?
[199]
What is Laertes’ one condition for accepting Claudius’ instruction and plan in solution to the matter of Hamlet’s return?
[200]
Again, why is it important that Hamlet’s death appear to be an accident?
[201]
What is the second condition Laertes sets on Claudius’ plan-making?
[202]
What does Laertes propose he do to revenge himself on Hamlet?
[203]
Rather, what does Claudius propose?
[204]
In addition, what does Laertes propose to do?
[205]
What final precaution does Claudius propose to take?
[206]
At this point, what news does Gertrude bring to the two, Claudius and Laertes?
[207]
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ACT V, SCENE I
A churchyard. Enter two Clowns, with spades, & c
Plot Summary
How long do the "houses" made by a gravedigger last, according to the first clown?
[208]
What might the recovery of the lawyer be, according to Hamlet?]
[209]
What does Hamlet say about the idle hand relative to those fully occupied?
[210]
Why will Hamlet's illness not be noticed in England, according to the first clown?
[211]
How long has Yorick been dead for?
[212]
