WorksheetsHamlet (Act 3-5)
Total questions: 43
Worksheet time: 14mins
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?
He is unsure about punishment in the afterlife.
He cannot kill himself until his father’s murder is avenged.
He wants to kill himself but lacks the courage to face the physical act of dying.
He feels that there is still something left to live for in the world, yet he doesn’t know what.
When left alone with Hamlet, Ophelia attempts to break up with Hamlet by...
insulting him and how he was dressed when he entered her closet in Act II.
by giving Hamlet back his love letters.
by telling him that she has found a new lover that will marry her.
by telling him that her father and brother do not approve of their relationship.
Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to “Get thee to a nunnery!”
He thinks Ophelia can only save her soul by committing to the church.
He thinks that the only husband she will find worthy is God.
He doesn’t want her to breed, have children, and create more sinners.
He wants her to be shut away in a convent, out of his sight and out of his life forever.
Hamlet enlists Horatio to...
help kill Claudius.
find out if Gertrude was in on the murder.
lead Denmark after the death of the royal family.
confirm his suspicions about Claudius.
How does Claudius react to the murder scene in the play?
He looks menacingly at Hamlet, then leaves the room without a word.
He shows no outward reaction whatsoever; he simply leaves the room.
He is visibly shaken by the scene, calls for light, then rushes out of the room.
He looks suspiciously at Gertrude, then leaves the room without saying a word to her.
Hamlet catches Claudius praying alone, in the dark, and utterly defenseless. What reason does he give for hesitating to kill his uncle?
He does not want to send his uncle to Hell.
He believes the ghost may be an evil spirit trying to tempt him to his doom.
He does not want to send his uncle to Heaven
He wants to kill his uncle where everyone will see.
Why does Claudius have a hard time praying?
He doesn’t want to give up the things he has received due to his sin.
He can’t focus on praying because he is still bothered by the play.
He knows he is being watched by Hamlet.
He is too frustrated with the guilt to take the time to pray.
Why does Hamlet kill Polonius?
Hamlet is tired of the old man’s interference in his affairs.
Hamlet is angry at finding Polonius in his mother’s bedroom.
Hamlet is simply killing an eavesdropper.
It was big brain time.
The Queen accuses Hamlet of all of the following EXCEPT (during their conversation in Act III)...
being crazy.
being disrespectful to the King.
threatening to kill her.
planning Claudius’s death.
What are Hamlet’s main requests for Gertrude during Act III, Scene IV? (MARK 2 ANSWERS)
To confess her sins.
To go to a nunnery.
Not to return to Claudius’s bed.
To apologize to King Hamlet’s ghost.
After Hamlet’s confrontation with his mother, Gertrude gives the impression that...
she will no longer sleep with Claudius.
she is now completely on Claudius’ side.
she truly repents (feels sorry about) her part in the death of Hamlet’s father.
she truly repents (feels sorry about) her infidelity with Claudius.
Why does the King want to send Hamlet to England?
England has money that is owed to them.
He has just watched the play, and he realizes that Hamlet knows about his sin.
Hamlet has openly challenged Claudius’ authority.
He is afraid Hamlet will hurt Gertrude.
Hamlet trusts Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
True
False
Hamlet will accept the punishment for killing Polonius.
True
False
Which statement about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is FALSE?
They have been summoned to the court by Claudius and Gertrude so that they may spy on Hamlet.
They try to lie to Hamlet about their visit, insisting at first that they’ve simply come to see him.
They know that Hamlet is not always insane.
They tell the King and Queen why Hamlet is mad.
When does Hamlet say this quote? “ . . . let not ever the soul of Nero enter this firm bosom. / Let me be cruel, not unnatural. / I will speak daggers to her, but use none.”
After finding out about the murder of his father.
Before he speaks to his mother privately.
When he is upset about his mother’s hasty marriage.
When he realizes that Ophelia has rejected him.
When being questioned by Claudius, what words best characterize Hamlet’s attitude towards Polonius’ death?
unrepentant; hateful
unconcerned; mocking
unconcerned; numb
repentant; sad
Which of the following events significantly contribute(s) to Ophelia’s insanity? Mark two answers.
Her father’ death and the subsequent cover-up of his murder.
Gertrude’s relationship with Hamlet.
Hamlet’s rejection of her love and consequent behavior towards her.
Polonius’ scheming and spying.
How does Hamlet escape from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
He bicycle kicks them off the boat.
He murders them.
He escapes with pirates
He drugs their drinks and sneaks away while they are passed out.
How does Ophelia die?
She drowns.
She is accidentally pushed into the river.
Hamlet murders her.
Toaster in bathtub.
What reasons does Claudius give Laertes for not punishing Hamlet for Polonius’ death? Mark two answers.
It would anger the citizens of Denmark.
It would alienate Claudius from Gertrude.
It was an accident caused by Hamlet’s madness. Thus Hamlet is not to blame.
He explains that it is not in his power to avenge Polonius’ death.
Why does Laertes return to Denmark?
He has graduated.
To question his father’s death.
He has heard that his sister has gone crazy.
He wants to kill Hamlet.
Where does Fortinbras’ captain say his army is going?
To attack Sweden.
To attack Denmark.
To attack Norway.
To attack Poland.
What is Claudius’ initial plan to kill Hamlet?
Have a fencing match with a tipped sword.
Have Hamlet drink poison.
Have Hamlet torn limb from limb with horses.
Have him thrown over a ship.
Whom is Hamlet speaking to? “When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again.” (Act IV, Scene ii)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Horatio
Polonius' corpse
Claudius
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. (Act IV, Scene iii)
Hamlet
Guildenstern
Laertes
Claudius
Where does Hamlet hide Polonius’ dead body?
Under the stairs in the lobby.
In the castle dungeon.
In the castle dining room.
In the king’s closet.
Where does Hamlet hide Polonius’ dead body?
Under the stairs in the lobby.
In the castle dungeon.
In the castle dining room.
In the king’s closet.
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!” (Act IV; Scene iv)
After seeing Claudius pray alone.
After seeing Ophelia’s dead body.
After speaking with Fortinbras’ captain.
After killing Polonius.
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.” (Act IV, Scene v)
Laertes
Polonius
Hamlet
Claudius
When Laertes accuses the King, the king says he can gather his friends and decide if he is guilty. If guilty, the king will...
commit suicide.
let Laertes marry Gertrude.
confess his wrongs in front of the people.
give up his throne.
When the queen says, “One woe doth tread upon another’s heel, / So fast they follow,” what has just happened?
The people are calling for Laertes to be King.
She is avoiding speaking to Ophelia.
Ophelia has died.
She discovered that Hamlet has come back home.
What are the two gravediggers arguing about at the beginning of Act V?
Whether Hamlet is truly mad.
Whether Ophelia deserves a Christian burial
Whether to bury Ophelia.
Whether Claudius is somehow responsible for Ophelia’s death.
What is Hamlet's attitude toward death as he speaks of Yorick’s skull and of Alexander the Great?
It is now something he fears.
Everyone becomes dirt.
He mourns his losses.
He has pity for all the skulls he sees.
How does Hamlet react when he hears of Ophelia’s death?
He silently runs away.
He runs up and stabs Laertes.
He passionately cries and enters the scene.
He is dumbfounded.
What does Hamlet claim for the first time regarding Ophelia?
He loved her.
He feared for her life.
He truly despised her.
He hated everything she stood for in society.
Why does Gertrude drink from the cup?
She has realized her actions have caused pain
She is celebrating Ophelia’s death
She is celebrating Hamlet’s points.
She thirsty,
What is Hamlet’s motivation for killing Laertes?
Laertes and Hamlet argued at Ophelia’s funeral. Hamlet is angry that Laertes blames him for Ophelia’s death.
He realizes that Laertes and Claudius are working together.
He does not mean to kill Laertes, just to get even.
Self-defense.
When does Laertes show hesitation in killing Hamlet?
After he has stabbed him with the poisonous sword.
After the queen drinks.
After Hamlet’s apology.
After Ophelia’s funeral.
What does Hamlet insist that Horatio do upon his (Hamlet’s) death?
Marry the Queen and take the throne.
Kill Fortinbras.
To tell his story.
Kill himself to show allegiance.
How does Laertes feel about what has happened to Hamlet at the end?
He cries out in frustration.
He apologizes.
He is indifferent.
He is angry that Hamlet wounded him.
When is the following said? "Never believe it. / I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. / Here's yet some liquor left.
After Claudius' death.
After Gertrude's death.
As Hamlet is dying.
As Laertes is dying.
Why does Hamlet give his dying voice to Fortinbras?
He realizes Fortinbras' power.
He understands Fortinbras.
He doesn’t have a choice; he is invading.
They have been secretly plotting since Act II.
