Hamlet Act 2 Quiz Multiple Choice

1. What does Polonius believe is "The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy"?

Unrequited love for Ophelia.

Claudius and Gertrude's marriage.

The imminent invasion from Norway.

His father's death.

Polonius believes that the unrequited love for Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

Explanation

Polonius believes that the unrequited love for Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

2. "Your bait of ___ takes this carp of ___"

1. falsehood 2. truth

1. lying 2. God

1. women 2. men

1. worms 2. fish

The phrase "Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth" suggests that falsehood is being used as a lure or bait to deceive or manipulate someone into accepting or believing the truth.

Explanation

The phrase "Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth" suggests that falsehood is being used as a lure or bait to deceive or manipulate someone into accepting or believing the truth.

3. Who is "him/he" when Hamlet says: "What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba"

Polonius

Horatio

Rosencrantz

Player

In this quote from Hamlet, "What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba," Hamlet is referring to Polonius. The line is part of Hamlet's famous soliloquy in which he reflects on the emotion and passion shown by an actor in a play. Hamlet is questioning why he himself, who has so much to be passionate about, is unable to take action and seek revenge for his father's murder. By mentioning Hecuba, the queen of Troy in Greek mythology, Hamlet is comparing himself to the actor and questioning his own lack of action and emotion compared to the actor's portrayal of Hecuba. Since Polonius is present during this soliloquy, it can be inferred that "him/he" refers to Polonius.

Explanation

In this quote from Hamlet, "What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba," Hamlet is referring to Polonius. The line is part of Hamlet's famous soliloquy in which he reflects on the emotion and passion shown by an actor in a play. Hamlet is questioning why he himself, who has so much to be passionate about, is unable to take action and seek revenge for his father's murder. By mentioning Hecuba, the queen of Troy in Greek mythology, Hamlet is comparing himself to the actor and questioning his own lack of action and emotion compared to the actor's portrayal of Hecuba. Since Polonius is present during this soliloquy, it can be inferred that "him/he" refers to Polonius.

4. Which characters appear in Scene One?

Claudius and Gertrude

Claudius and Hamlet

Polonius and Reynaldo

Polonius and Laertes

In Scene One, the characters Claudius and Gertrude appear.

Explanation

In Scene One, the characters Claudius and Gertrude appear.

5. "at a more ___ time we'll read, ___, and think upon this ___."

1. interesting 2. stay 3. thinking

1. considered 2. answer 3. business

1. leisured 2. look 3. book

1. convenient 2. answer 3. letter

At a more interesting time we'll read, stay, and think upon this thinking.

Explanation

At a more interesting time we'll read, stay, and think upon this thinking.

6. "Let her not walk i' th' ___. Conception is a ___, but not as your daughter might ___.

1. sea 2. boat 3. get-wet

1. night 2. curse 3. love

1. sun 2. blessing 3. conceive

1. road 2. tie 3. die

The correct answer is "1. sea 2. boat 3. get-wet". In this sentence, the phrase "Let her not walk i' th' sea" suggests that the speaker does not want the person to go into the sea. The word "conception" refers to the act of conceiving a child, which is described as a "blessing" in the second option. The phrase "but not as your daughter might conceive" implies that the speaker does not want the daughter to conceive a child. Therefore, the correct answer is "1. sea 2. boat 3. get-wet" as it aligns with the context of the sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer is "1. sea 2. boat 3. get-wet". In this sentence, the phrase "Let her not walk i' th' sea" suggests that the speaker does not want the person to go into the sea. The word "conception" refers to the act of conceiving a child, which is described as a "blessing" in the second option. The phrase "but not as your daughter might conceive" implies that the speaker does not want the daughter to conceive a child. Therefore, the correct answer is "1. sea 2. boat 3. get-wet" as it aligns with the context of the sentence.

7. What is Polonius employing Reynaldo to do?

Kill the king.

Escort Hamlet to England.

Drink, fence, swear, quarrel and see prostitutes.

Spy on his son.

not-available-via-ai

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

8. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

Claudius' sons

Players.

Friends of Hamlet.

Ambassadors.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are not Claudius' sons. They are actually friends of Hamlet. In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are childhood friends of the main character, Hamlet, and are called upon by King Claudius to spy on him. They play a significant role in the play, but they are not related to Claudius in any way.

Explanation

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are not Claudius' sons. They are actually friends of Hamlet. In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are childhood friends of the main character, Hamlet, and are called upon by King Claudius to spy on him. They play a significant role in the play, but they are not related to Claudius in any way.