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Worksheets"The Tragedy of Hamlet" by William Shakespeare
Total questions: 16
Worksheet time: 32mins
What is the difference between Ophelia’s madness and Hamlet’s?
Ophelia’s madness is authentic and caused by external conflicts; Hamlet’s madness may be feigned.
Ophelia’s madness results from unclear causes; the causes of Hamlet’s madness are clear.
Ophelia’s madness occurs after her conflicts have already arisen; Hamlet’s madness occurs before.
Ophelia’s madness is curable and temporary; Hamlet’s madness is incurable and permanent.
What effect does the ghost of Hamlet’s father have on Hamlet that contributes to the rising action of the play?
Hamlet becomes confused and indecisive.
Hamlet examines his motives before acting.
Hamlet seeks revenge against Claudius.
Hamlet feels more kindly toward Gertrude.
What idea does Claudius convey with the paradoxical phrase With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage(Act I, Scene 2, line 12)?
He regrets marrying Gertrude.
He feels ashamed of his actions.
He is relieved that his brother died.
He has mixed emotions over recent events.
In Act I, Scene 2, lines 139–153, Hamlet alludes to Hyperion and Niobe. What purpose do these allusions serve?
They link Claudius and Gertrude to the crimes committed in ancient tragedies.
They identify qualities of Claudius and Gertrude that are carefully concealed.
They suggest that Claudius and Gertrude are equally guilty.
They are used to characterize the behavior of Claudius and Gertrude.
What is the internal conflict Hamlet expresses in his soliloquy at the end of Act II (O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I . . .)?
He has every reason to be fierce and angry, but he is weak and refuses to act.
He is terrified of his own murderous rage, so he is unable to do anything but mope.
He feels that the world is cruel and unjust, and he cannot change its nature.
He is unsure whether bloody revenge is the proper reaction, so he hesitates to act.
Which is a question Hamlet asks in his To be or not to be soliloquy in Act III, Scene 1, lines 57–91?
Is happiness really a better alternative than suffering?
Is it better to sleep through life than to be angry all the time?
Is suicide really a viable option to escape from suffering?
Which is a question Hamlet asks in his To be or not to be soliloquy in Act III, Scene 1, lines 57–91?
Is it wiser to accept suffering or to fight its causes and end it?
Is the passing of time good or bad for the human condition?
How does Hamlet’s encounter with Fortinbras in Act IV help Hamlet avenge his father’s death?
Fortinbras encourages Hamlet to seek revenge as a way of curing his madness.
Hamlet decides that he would like to be as free of conflict as Fortinbras is.
Fortinbras agrees to support Hamlet in his effort to become King of Denmark.
Hamlet is inspired by Fortinbras’s passion about an insignificant parcel of land.
Which was the first event leading up to Hamlet sailing for England in Act IV?
Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is, indeed, mad.
Hamlet kills Polonius in Gertrude’s chamber.
Claudius reveals his plan to have Hamlet killed.
Claudius reacts to the players’ performance.
Which was the 2nd event leading up to Hamlet sailing for England in Act IV?
Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is, indeed, mad.
Hamlet kills Polonius in Gertrude’s chamber.
Claudius reveals his plan to have Hamlet killed.
Claudius reacts to the players’ performance.
Which was the 3rd event leading up to Hamlet sailing for England in Act IV?
Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is, indeed, mad.
Hamlet kills Polonius in Gertrude’s chamber.
Claudius reveals his plan to have Hamlet killed.
Claudius reacts to the players’ performance.
Which was the 4th event leading up to Hamlet sailing for England in Act IV?
Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is, indeed, mad.
Hamlet kills Polonius in Gertrude’s chamber.
Claudius reveals his plan to have Hamlet killed.
Claudius reacts to the players’ performance.
The dramatic climax, or turning point, in The Tragedy of Hamlet occurs when —
Claudius reacts guiltily during the performance of the players
Hamlet, Ophelia, Claudius, Gertrude, and Laertes all die
Hamlet finally commits himself to seek bloody revenge
Gertrude promises to protect Hamlet but betrays him
What role does Horatio play in the resolution of the plot?
He is one of many characters who dies at the end of the play.
He vows to tell the truth about what happened to Hamlet.
He claims to have rights to the throne of Denmark.
He is the character who benefits most from the events of the play.
Which statement best describes a theme conveyed by Hamlet’s battle with Laertes in Act V?
Violence rarely brings about justice.
One must plan revenge with great care.
It’s dangerous to have too much confidence.
A person must face his or her fate with courage.
Which quotation from Act V, Scene 2 best supports the theme conveyed by Hamlet's battle with Laertes in Act V of facing one's fate with courage?
I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence. But to know a man well were to know himself. (lines 139–141)
If it be now, ’tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all. (lines 220–222)
O God, Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind me! (lines 351–352)
Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage, / For he was likely, had he been put on, / To have proved most royal . . . (lines 405–407)
