Hamlet Quiz: Act II Questions! Trivia

Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are Hamlet's friends from college. In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," these two characters are childhood friends of the main protagonist, Prince Hamlet. They are summoned by King Claudius to spy on Hamlet and report back to him. Throughout the play, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are caught in the middle of the political intrigue and ultimately meet tragic ends. Their presence in the play serves to highlight Hamlet's isolation and the betrayal he feels from those he once trusted.

Claudius wants Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to discover the cause of Hamlet's odd behavior. This implies that Claudius is concerned about Hamlet's recent actions and wants to understand the reasons behind his strange behavior. He sees Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as potential informants who can gather information and report back to him. By knowing the cause of Hamlet's behavior, Claudius may be able to better handle the situation and potentially manipulate or control Hamlet.

The correct answer suggests that Claudius receives a message informing him that Fortinbras has been redirected to Poland by his uncle. Additionally, the message asks for safe passage through Denmark. This indicates that Fortinbras is not advancing on Denmark but rather seeking a peaceful passage through the country.

The purpose of the play that will be staged by the visiting thespians is to prove or disprove the claims of the ghost. The ghost of Hamlet's father has claimed that he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius. By reenacting the events of the murder in the play, Hamlet hopes to observe Claudius's reaction and determine if the ghost's claims are true. This play serves as a way for Hamlet to gather evidence and seek justice for his father's death.

The correct answer is Actors because Elsinore is a location mentioned in the famous play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. In the play, a group of actors travels to Elsinore to perform a play within the play, which is a crucial plot point in the story. Therefore, it can be inferred that actors are the group of people who travel to Elsinore.

Hamlet's actions when he goes to Ophelia include grabbing her wrist, holding her hard, and sighing without speaking. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

When Hamlet came to Ophelia in his madness, she was sewing. This suggests that Ophelia was engaged in a quiet, mundane activity, emphasizing her innocence and vulnerability. Sewing also symbolizes domesticity and femininity, highlighting Ophelia's traditional role as a young woman. This detail adds depth to the scene and contributes to the overall characterization of Ophelia and her relationship with Hamlet.

Polonius has Reynaldo send both money and letters to Laertes. This suggests that Polonius wants to ensure that Laertes has the necessary financial support while he is away, as well as staying in touch through written communication. By sending both money and letters, Polonius demonstrates his concern for his son's well-being and desire to maintain a strong connection with him.

The correct answer is that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern knew Hamlet because they were all childhood friends. This means that they have known each other since they were young, indicating a long-standing relationship. The other options, such as serving in the military together, being cousins, or attending college together, do not align with the established relationship of childhood friends.