Hamlet Quiz For AP English Literature & Composition Mary Hrinda
In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the young prince comes home to mourn and bury his dead father but find out his mother has been married to his uncle Claudus leaving him feeling disgusted. What else can you remember about this great play? Take the quiz and have fun remembering!
- 1.
Who is unconvinced that there is a ghost of Hamlet Sr. until he sees him with his own eyes?
- A.
Hamlet
- B.
Horatio
- C.
Reynaldo
- D.
Rosencrantz
Correct Answer
B. HoratioExplanation
Horatio is unconvinced that there is a ghost of Hamlet Sr. until he sees him with his own eyes. This is evident in Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's play Hamlet, where Horatio initially doubts the existence of the ghost despite the testimonies of others. However, when the ghost appears before him and the guards, Horatio becomes a witness to its presence, solidifying his belief in its existence.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Who is Jephthah?
- A.
A man who sacrificed his daughter to keep his vow to God
- B.
A man who killed his brother
- C.
Polonius' middle name
- D.
Polonius' son
Correct Answer
A. A man who sacrificed his daughter to keep his vow to GodExplanation
Jephthah is known as a man who sacrificed his daughter to keep his vow to God. This refers to a biblical story in the Book of Judges, where Jephthah made a vow to offer as a burnt offering the first thing that came out of his house if he was victorious in battle. Tragically, his only daughter was the first to greet him upon his return, and he felt obligated to fulfill his vow, sacrificing her. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of making rash vows and the importance of carefully considering the consequences of our actions.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Who comes to tell Hamlet that the players are coming?
- A.
Guildenstern
- B.
Rosencrantz
- C.
Polonius
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
All three characters, Guildenstern, Rosencrantz, and Polonius, inform Hamlet about the arrival of the players. Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are childhood friends of Hamlet who are summoned by the King and Queen to gather information about Hamlet's behavior. Polonius is the chief counselor to the King and also the father of Ophelia and Laertes. Each of them separately approaches Hamlet to deliver the news about the players' arrival, indicating that all of the above options are correct.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Why do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to Denmark?
- A.
They want to see Hamlet because they hear he has gone crazy
- B.
They want to come and mourn te king's death
- C.
They are hired by Claudius to spy on Hamlet
- D.
They wanted to come for the queen's wedding
Correct Answer
C. They are hired by Claudius to spy on HamletExplanation
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to Denmark because they are hired by Claudius to spy on Hamlet. This is evident from their actions and conversations throughout the play, as they constantly report back to Claudius about Hamlet's behavior and thoughts. They are used as pawns in Claudius' plan to uncover the reason behind Hamlet's madness and protect his own position as king.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Who is king of Norway?
- A.
Claudius
- B.
Uncle Fortinbras
- C.
Fortinbras Jr.
- D.
Fortinbras Sr.
Correct Answer
B. Uncle FortinbrasExplanation
Uncle Fortinbras is the correct answer because in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Fortinbras is the prince of Norway who becomes the king after his uncle's death. Therefore, he is referred to as Uncle Fortinbras. The other options, Claudius, Fortinbras Jr., and Fortinbras Sr., are not accurate as Claudius is a character from "Hamlet" who becomes the king of Denmark, and the other Fortinbras options do not align with the storyline or characters in the play.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Who is Hamlet's love interest?
- A.
Reynaldo
- B.
Horatio
- C.
Gertrude
- D.
Ophelia
Correct Answer
D. OpheliaExplanation
Hamlet's love interest is Ophelia. Throughout the play, Hamlet expresses his love for Ophelia and their relationship is a central theme. Ophelia's character is portrayed as innocent and naive, and her love for Hamlet becomes a source of conflict and tragedy. Ophelia's eventual madness and tragic demise further emphasize the significance of her relationship with Hamlet.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Who is Polonius?
- A.
Long winded father or Gertrude
- B.
Long winded father of Claudius
- C.
Long winded father of Rosencrantz
- D.
Long winded father of Ophelia
Correct Answer
D. Long winded father of OpheliaExplanation
Polonius is a character in William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." He is the father of Ophelia and Laertes, and serves as the chief counselor to King Claudius. Polonius is known for his long-winded and verbose speeches, often offering unsolicited advice to those around him. He is portrayed as a somewhat foolish and meddling character, who ultimately meets a tragic end. Therefore, the correct answer "long-winded father of Ophelia" accurately describes Polonius' role and characteristics in the play.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Why does Polonius think Hamlet is going crazy?
- A.
He is love sick over Ophelia
- B.
He is not allowed to go to the play with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
- C.
He is angry that his mother married so soon
- D.
He is angry that everyone isn't mourning his father's death
Correct Answer
A. He is love sick over OpheliaExplanation
Polonius thinks Hamlet is going crazy because he believes that Hamlet's love for Ophelia is causing him distress and driving him to madness. Polonius observes Hamlet's erratic behavior and interprets it as a sign of lovesickness. This is supported by Hamlet's recent interactions with Ophelia, where he displayed strange and unpredictable behavior, leading Polonius to conclude that love is the cause of his apparent madness.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Who makes up Fortinbras Jr.'s army?
- A.
Angry Denmark soldiers who left to fight
- B.
The best soldiers in all of Norway
- C.
Poor rebels wanting to work for food
- D.
His friends from school
Correct Answer
C. Poor rebels wanting to work for foodExplanation
Fortinbras Jr.'s army is made up of poor rebels who are willing to work for food. This suggests that the army consists of individuals who are desperate and in need of sustenance, hence they are willing to fight in exchange for food. This implies that the army may not be well-trained or equipped, but they are motivated by their dire circumstances to join Fortinbras Jr.'s cause.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Who does Fortinbras Jr. want to fight?
- A.
Norway
- B.
Poland
- C.
Germany
- D.
Wittenberg
Correct Answer
B. PolandExplanation
Fortinbras Jr. wants to fight Poland. This can be inferred from the context of the question, which mentions Fortinbras Jr. and his desire to fight. The other options (Norway, Germany, and Wittenberg) are not mentioned in the question and therefore can be eliminated as possible answers.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Who is Laertes?
- A.
Ophelia's brother
- B.
Ophelia's father
- C.
Ophelia's neighbor
- D.
Hamlet's best friend
Correct Answer
A. Ophelia's brotherExplanation
Laertes is Ophelia's brother. This can be inferred from the question itself, which asks "Who is Laertes?" and provides the options of Ophelia's brother, Ophelia's father, Ophelia's neighbor, and Hamlet's best friend. Since Laertes is not mentioned as being Ophelia's father, neighbor, or Hamlet's best friend, the only logical option left is that he is Ophelia's brother.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What does Laertes warn Ophelia about?
- A.
How annoying Polonius is
- B.
Gertrude wanting her to work in the castle
- C.
Horatio wanting to study all the time
- D.
Hamlet not loving her as much as she thinks
Correct Answer
D. Hamlet not loving her as much as she thinksExplanation
Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet's love for her, suggesting that he may not love her as much as she believes.Rate this question:
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- 13.
What does the ghost want?
- A.
To haunt everyone who wronged him
- B.
Revenge
- C.
To see what everyone is doing on earth
- D.
A sandwich
Correct Answer
B. RevengeExplanation
The ghost wants revenge. This implies that the ghost has been wronged by someone or multiple people and seeks to retaliate against them. The desire for revenge suggests that the ghost harbors feelings of anger, resentment, and a desire for justice or retribution.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Who is the ghost?
- A.
Reynaldo
- B.
Horatio
- C.
Hamlet Jr.
- D.
Hamlet Sr.
Correct Answer
D. Hamlet Sr.Explanation
Hamlet Sr. is the ghost because in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," the character of Hamlet Sr. appears as a ghost. He is the deceased king of Denmark and father of the protagonist, Prince Hamlet. The ghost of Hamlet Sr. plays a significant role in the play, appearing to Prince Hamlet and revealing the truth about his murder, which sets off a chain of events in the plot.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Who are Marcellus, Barnardo, and Horatio?
- A.
Hamlet's friends from Wittenberg
- B.
Fortinbras' soldiers
- C.
Claudius' brothers
- D.
Gertrude's other sons
Correct Answer
A. Hamlet's friends from WittenbergExplanation
Marcellus, Barnardo, and Horatio are Hamlet's friends from Wittenberg. This is evident from the context of the question, which asks about their identities. In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Marcellus, Barnardo, and Horatio are introduced as Hamlet's companions and friends from the university in Wittenberg. They play important roles in the story, particularly in relation to the appearance of the ghost and the unfolding of the plot.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Why is Hamlet pretending to be crazy?
- A.
He wants Polonius to shut up
- B.
He is love sick over Ophelia
- C.
He is angry about his mother getting married so soon after his father's death
- D.
He is upset that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern showed up unannounced
Correct Answer
C. He is angry about his mother getting married so soon after his father's deathExplanation
Hamlet is pretending to be crazy because he is angry about his mother getting married so soon after his father's death. This anger and resentment towards his mother's hasty marriage drives him to put on an act of madness. By feigning insanity, he can express his disapproval and frustration without directly confronting his mother or stepfather. This pretense also allows him to observe the actions and intentions of those around him, including his uncle Claudius, and gather evidence to confirm his suspicions about his father's death.Rate this question:
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- 17.
What allusion is made by Hamlet in the second Act?
- A.
To Macbeth
- B.
To Romeo an Juliet
- C.
To the fall of Troy and death of King Priam
- D.
To the Odyssey
Correct Answer
C. To the fall of Troy and death of King PriamExplanation
In Act 2 of Hamlet, the allusion made is to the fall of Troy and the death of King Priam. This allusion is made when Hamlet is expressing his frustration and disappointment with the state of affairs in Denmark, comparing it to the tragic events that took place in Troy. By referencing the fall of Troy and the death of King Priam, Hamlet is drawing parallels between the chaos and destruction in both situations, highlighting the corruption and decay that he sees in his own kingdom.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Why is Hamlet excited about the players?
- A.
He loves to watch plays
- B.
He wants them to act out his father's death
- C.
He wants to treat them with great comfort
- D.
All of the Above
Correct Answer
D. All of the AboveExplanation
Hamlet is excited about the players because he loves to watch plays, he wants them to act out his father's death, and he wants to treat them with great comfort. This means that all of the given options are correct. Hamlet's excitement for the players stems from his passion for theater, his desire to use them as a means to uncover the truth about his father's death, and his intention to show them hospitality and respect.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Who is Claudius?
- A.
Denmark's king.
- B.
Hamlet's uncle
- C.
Hamlet's step-father
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
Claudius is all of the above because he is the king of Denmark, he is Hamlet's uncle, and he is also Hamlet's step-father.Rate this question:
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- 20.
How did Hamlet Sr. die?
- A.
Poison in his ear by Claudius
- B.
Drank poison from a goblet his wife gave him
- C.
Claudius stabbed him
- D.
Gertrude buried him alive
Correct Answer
A. Poison in his ear by ClaudiusExplanation
Hamlet Sr. died from poison in his ear by Claudius. This means that Claudius poured poison into Hamlet Sr.'s ear, causing his death. This method of murder is significant in the play "Hamlet" as it sets the stage for the central conflict and Hamlet's quest for revenge against Claudius. The act of poisoning also adds to the overall theme of deception and betrayal throughout the play.Rate this question:
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