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WorksheetsHamlet Acts III-V
Total questions: 54
Worksheet time: 27mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Hamlet struggles with the idea of whether “...to be, or not to be...” throughout the play. What reason does he give for not killing himself?
a)
He is unsure about punishment in the afterlife.
b)
He cannot kill himself until his father’s murder is avenged.
c)
He wants to kill himself, but lacks the courage to face the physical act of dying.
d)
He feels that there is still something left to live for in the world, yet he doesn’t know what.
2.
When left alone with Hamlet, Ophelia attempts to break up with Hamlet by
a)
insulting him and how he was dressed when he entered her closet in Act II.
b)
by giving Hamlet back his love letters.
c)
by telling him that she has found a new lover that will marry her.
d)
by telling him that her father and brother do not approve of their relationship.
3.
Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to “Get thee to a nunnery!”
a)
He thinks Ophelia can only save her soul by committing to the church.
b)
He thinks that the only husband she will find worthy is God.
c)
He doesn’t want her to breed, have children, and create more sinners.
d)
He wants her to be shut away in a convent, out of his sight and out of his life forever.
4.
Hamlet enlists Horatio to
a)
help kill Claudius.
b)
find out if Gertrude was in on the murder.
c)
lead Denmark after the death of the royal family.
d)
confirm his suspicions about Claudius.
5.
How does Claudius react to the murder scene in the play?
a)
He looks menacingly at Hamlet, then leaves the room without a word.
b)
He shows no outward reaction whatsoever; he simply leaves the room.
c)
He is visibly shaken by the scene, calls for light, then rushes out of the room.
d)
He looks suspiciously at Gertrude, then leaves the room without saying a word to her.
6.
Hamlet catches Claudius praying alone, in the dark, and utterly defenseless. What reason does he give for hesitating to kill his uncle?
a)
He does not want to end up in hell.
b)
He believes the ghost may be an evil spirit trying to tempt him to his doom.
c)
He does not want to send his uncle to heaven.
d)
He wants to kill his uncle where everyone will see.
7.
Why does Claudius have a hard time praying?
a)
He doesn’t want to give up the things he has received due to his sin.
b)
He can’t focus on praying because he is still bothered by the play.
c)
He knows he is being watched by Hamlet.
d)
He is too frustrated with the guilt to take the time to pray.
8.
The Queen accuses Hamlet of all of the following EXCEPT (during their conversation in Act III)
a)
being crazy
b)
being disrespectful to the King
c)
threatening to kill her
d)
planning Claudius’s death
9.
Why does Hamlet kill Polonius?
a)
Hamlet is tired of the old man’s interference in his affairs.
b)
Hamlet is angry at finding Polonius in his mother’s bedroom.
c)
Hamlet, because of his madness, is hallucinating and kills him accidentally.
d)
Hamlet is simply killing an eavesdropper.
10.
What are Hamlet’s main requests for Gertrude during Act III, Scene IV? (MARK 2 ANSWERS in the test - only one answer can be marked here)
a)
to confess her sins
b)
to go to a nunnery
c)
to confess to killing King Hamlet
d)
to apologize to King Hamlet’s ghost
11.
After Hamlet’s confrontation with his mother, Gertrude gives the impression that
a)
she will no longer sleep with Claudius.
b)
she is now completely on Claudius’ side.
c)
she truly repents (feels sorry about) her part in the death of Hamlet’s father.
d)
she truly repents (feels sorry about) her infidelity with Claudius.
12.
Why does the King want to send Hamlet to England?
a)
England has money that is owed to them.
b)
He has just watched the play and he realizes that Hamlet knows about his sin.
c)
Hamlet has openly challenged Claudius’ authority.
d)
He is afraid Hamlet will hurt Gertrude.
13.
Hamlet trusts Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
a)
True
b)
False
14.
Hamlet will accept the punishment for killing Polonius.
a)
True
b)
False
15.
When being questioned by Claudius, what words best characterize Hamlet’s attitude towards Polonius’ death.
a)
repentant; sad
b)
unrepentant ; hateful
c)
unconcerned; mocking
d)
unconcerned; numb
16.
Which of the following events significantly contribute(s) to Ophelia’s insanity? (Mark two answers on the test.)
a)
Polonius’ scheming and spying.
b)
Gertrude’s relationship with Hamlet.
c)
Hamlet’s rejection of her love and consequent behavior towards her.
d)
Her father’ death and the subsequent cover-up of his murder.
17.
How does Hamlet escape from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
a)
He murders them.
b)
He jumps overboard.
c)
He talks his way out of their “protection.”
d)
He escapes with pirates
18.
How does Ophelia die?
a)
She is accidentally pushed into the river.
b)
She is murdered by Hamlet.
c)
She drowns.
d)
Heartbreak over Hamlet’s rejection.
19.
What reasons does Claudius give Laertes for not punishing Hamlet for Polonius’ death? Mark all that apply on the test.
a)
It was an accident caused by Hamlet’s madness, thus Hamlet is not to blame.
b)
It would alienate Claudius from Gertrude.
c)
He explains that it is not in his power to avenge P's death.
d)
Polonius was caught spying in Gertrude’s royal bedroom, so Hamlet cannot legally be held accountable.
20.
Why does Laertes return to Denmark?
a)
he has graduated
b)
he has heard that his sister has gone crazy
c)
to question his father’s death
d)
he wants to kill Hamlet
21.
Where does Fortinbras’ captain say his army is going?
a)
to attack Denmark
b)
to attack Poland
c)
back to Norway
d)
to see Hamlet
22.
What is Claudius’ initial plan to kill Hamlet?
a)
have a fencing match with a tipped sword
b)
have Hamlet drink poison
c)
kill him in his sleep
d)
have him thrown over a ship
23.
Whom is Hamlet speaking to? “When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again.” (IV, ii)
a)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
b)
Horatio
c)
Polonius’ dead body
d)
Claudius
24.
Who says the following quote? “Do it, England, / For like the hectic in my blood he rages, / And thou must cure me. Till I know ‘tis done, / Howe’er my haps, my joys were ne’er begun. (IV, iii)
a)
Hamlet
b)
Gertrude
c)
Rosencrantz
d)
Claudius
25.
Where does Hamlet hide Polonius’ dead body?
a)
under the stairs in the lobby
b)
in the castle dungeon
c)
in the castle kitchen
d)
in the castle dining room
26.
When does Hamlet say the following? “How stand I, then, / That have a father killed, a mother stained, / Excitements of my reason and my blood, / And let all sleep . . . . O, from this time forth / My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!”
a)
after seeing Claudius pray alone
b)
after seeing Ophelia’s dead body
c)
after killing Polonius
d)
after speaking with Fortinbras’ captain
27.
Who is “his” in this quote? “His mean of death, his obscure funeral . .. Cry to be heard, as ‘twere from heaven to earth, / That I must call into question.” (IV, v)
a)
Laertes
b)
Polonius
c)
Hamlet
d)
Claudius
28.
Question When Laertes accuses the King, the king says he can gather his friends and decide if he is guilty. If guilty, the king will:
a)
commit suicide
b)
let Laertes marry Gertrude
c)
confess his wrongs in front of the people
d)
give up his throne
29.
When the queen says, “One woe doth tread upon another’s heel, / So fast they follow,” what has just happened?
a)
the people are calling for Laertes to be King
b)
She is avoiding speaking to Ophelia
c)
Ophelia has died
d)
she discovers that Hamlet has come back home
30.
What are the two gravediggers arguing about at the beginning of Act V?
a)
where to bury Ophelia
b)
whether Hamlet is truly mad
c)
whether Ophelia deserves a Christian burial
d)
whether Polonius should have had a more “public” funeral
31.
What attitude toward death does Hamlet reveal ask he speaks of Yorick’s skull and of Alexander the Great?
a)
it is now something he fears
b)
everyone become dirt
c)
he mourns his losses
d)
he has pity for all the skulls he sees
32.
How does Hamlet react when he hears of Ophelia’s death?
a)
he silently runs away
b)
he runs forth to stab Laertes
c)
he passionately cries and enters the scene
d)
he is dumbfounded
33.
What does Hamlet claim for the first time regarding Ophelia?
a)
he loved her
b)
he always feared for her life
c)
he truly despised her
d)
he hated everything she stood for in society
34.
Why does Gertrude drink from the cup?
a)
she has realized her actions have caused pain
b)
she is celebrating Ophelia’s death
c)
she is celebrating Hamlet’s points
d)
she is thirsty
35.
What is Hamlet’s motivation for killing Laertes?
a)
Laertes and Hamlet argued at Ophelia’s funeral. Hamlet is angry that Laertes blames him for Ophelia’s death.
b)
He realizes that Laertes and Claudius are working together.
c)
He does not mean to kill Laertes, just to get even.
d)
Self-defense.
36.
When does Laertes show hesitation in killing Hamlet?
a)
after he has stabbed him with the poisonous sword
b)
after the queen drinks
c)
after Hamlet’s apology
d)
after Ophelia’s funeral
37.
What does Hamlet insist that Horatio do upon his (Hamlet’s) death?
a)
marry the Queen and take the throne
b)
kill Fortinbras
c)
tell his story
d)
kill himself to show allegiance
38.
How does Laertes feel about what has happened to Hamlet at the end?
a)
he cries out in frustration
b)
he apologizes
c)
he is indifferent
d)
he is angry Hamlet has wounded him
39.
When is the following said? "Never believe it. / I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. / Here's yet some liquor left.
a)
after Claudius’ death
b)
after Gertrude’s death
c)
as Laertes is dying
d)
as Hamlet is dying
40.
Why does Hamlet give his dying voice to Fortinbras?
a)
he realizes Fortinbras’ power
b)
he understands Fortinbras
c)
he doesn’t have a choice; he is invading
d)
they have been secretly plotting since Act II
41.
Why does the messenger from England appear?
a)
to warn them of Fortinbras’ attack
b)
to tell them of Poland’s loss
c)
to act as comic relief
d)
to tell them Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead
42.
Whom is the following spoken to? “That to Laertes I forgot myself, / For by the image of my cause I see the portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors. / But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me / Into tow’ring passion.”
a)
Hamlet
b)
Laertes
c)
Horatio
d)
Claudius
43.
Who of the following characters dies first?
a)
Gertrude
b)
Claudius
c)
Laertes
d)
Hamlet
44.
How many different ways do Claudius and Laertes settle on to kill Hamlet?
a)
one
b)
two
c)
three
d)
four
45.
Why does Shakespeare usually use asides and soliloquies in his stage directions?
a)
to tell the actors where to go on the stage
b)
to summarize the action for the audience
c)
to hint at what is to come in the play
d)
to establish what a character is thinking
46.
The scene between Hamlet and the Captain of Fortinbras’ army most likely serves what purpose in the play?
a)
Social Commentary - It shows how soldiers and their leaders act without much thought to the consequences of their actions for the common man.
b)
Foreshadowing - It hints that, with his army already in Denmark, Fortinbras will soon be King of Denmark.
c)
Social Commentary - It shows how soldiers are often sent to die for causes they have no stake in by men who make decisions from a position of safety.
d)
Plot Advancement - It provides Hamlet with a means of escaping from the watchful eyes of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
47.
Match the event or action to the character. I, along with my companion, was told to escort Hamlet to England.
a)
King Claudius
b)
Ophelia
c)
Rosencrantz
d)
Polonius
48.
Match the event or action to the character. Hamlet talks me out of killing myself at the end of the play.
a)
Horatio
b)
Claudius
c)
Gertrude
d)
Ophelia
49.
Match the event or action to the character. Says “she swoons to see them bleed.”
a)
Claudius
b)
Horatio
c)
Laertes
d)
Ophelia
50.
Match the event or action to the character. I talk to Hamlet, not knowing he was Hamlet.
a)
Ophelia
b)
Gertrude
c)
Laertes
d)
gravedigger
51.
Match the event or action to the character. I am “justly killed by my own treachery”
a)
Ophelia
b)
Laertes
c)
gravedigger
d)
Rosencrantz
52.
Match the event or action to the character. The cause of my death is questioned.
a)
Ophelia
b)
Rosencrantz
c)
Claudius
d)
Fortinbras
53.
Match the event or action to the character. I send my childhood friends to their death.
a)
Hamlet
b)
Horatio
c)
Fortinbras
d)
Ophelia
54.
Match the event or action to the character. I was given permission by my uncle to attack Poland.
a)
Osric
b)
King Claudius
c)
Fortinbras
d)
The Ghost
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