Hamlet Characters

Why does Polonius send Reynaldo to Paris?

• Polonius is looking to flee Denmark and wants Reynaldo to find a house for his family.

• Polonius knows that Reynaldo will be happier in Paris, and so he frees him to go find work there.

• Polonius doesn't trust Laertes to be on good behavior, so he sends Reynaldo to spy on him.

• Polonius is worried that Laertes is studying too hard, so he sends Reynaldo to make sure Laertes also has a social life.

What does Polonius think is the best method for finding out information about the nature of Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship?

• He thinks he should talk to Ophelia because she is his daughter and he trusts her.

• He thinks he should pretend that Ophelia has been kidnapped and see how Hamlet responds to the news.

• He thinks he should trick Ophelia and Hamlet into have a conversation in a room where he is hidden and can spy on them while they talk.

• He thinks Claudius should have a strict 'man to man' conversation with Hamlet and tell him that he cannot marry Ophelia because she isn't a princess.

Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

• Servants Hired by Claudius to Spy on Hamlet

• Hamlet's Childhood Friends

• Polonius' Twin Sons

• Hamlet's Peers at College

What does Voltemand tell Claudius when he arrives back in Denmark after visiting Norway?

• He says that Fortinbras is unable to be stopped and will attack Denmark any minute.

• He argues that Hamlet must be planning to flee to Norway because he has a lot of friends there.

• He tells Claudius that he has been promised that Fortinbras will not be allowed to attack Denmark.

• He reports back to Claudius that it is not Fortinbras in Norway, but the King of England that is planning to attack them.

In Act II, Scene 2, who agrees to partner with Polonius and spy on Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship?

• Gertrude

• Claudius

• Rosencrantz

• Voltemand

Which of the following are things that more than one character is plotting by the end of Act II? (Choose TWO correct answers.)

• Spying

• Eloping

• Playing the Harp

• Getting Revenge

Which of the following characters is Polonius NOT planning on spying on?

• Hamlet

• Horatio

• Ophelia

• Laertes

Why does Hamlet seem to think the play will help him decide if his uncle is guilty or not?

• He is going to have the actors perform a play similar to his father's death and watch King Claudius' reaction.

• He is going to ask the actors to perform a really funny play, and if Claudius doesn't laugh he will assume he has something else on his mind.

• He is going to have the actors perform a tragedy and he will know Claudius is guilty if he doesn't cry at the end.

• He doesn't think the play itself will be helpful, but it will give him more time to think before he needs to make a decision.

Which of the following is the best description of the author's (aka Shakespeare's) tone towards Polonius in Act II of Hamlet?

• Disapproving, because Polonius isn't being honest with those around him and his pride makes him annoying.

• Proud, because the author thinks Polonius is really clever to spy on everyone.

• Apathetic, because Shakespeare doesn't ever make social or political statements about how people ought to behave.

• Curious, because Shakespeare didn't know what Polonius was going to do in Act III and was waiting to find out.

the act of sharing a brief thought with the audience which is inaudible to the other characters onstage

• Pun

• Irony

• Soliloquy

• Aside