Hamlet Quiz

Question 1

Examples of the diseased body/unweeded garden

Answer 1

-garden of eden when claudius kills polonius and he represents the snake
-corrupted body: hasty remarraige and claudius covering up his crimes
-killing king=killing god’s assistant
-denmark being corrupted state when ghost appears

Question 2

How is the conflict introduced in Hamlet?

Answer 2

Through the appearance of Old Hamlet’s ghost -> the question of whether its a credible ghost or not, is it evil or good

Question 3

What awakens Hamlet’s desire to see his father again

Answer 3

The news of his ghost, his vulnerability is shown because he feels this before Horatio reveals its about his father

Question 4

Why does Laertes warn Ophelia?

Answer 4

He wants her to protect her virginity and reputation and she says that there are double standards
-contrast and motif to a rotten garden

Question 5

What does Hamlet believe about his mother (in terms of marriage?)

Answer 5

That she wanted to marry Claudius before his father died and guilty of adultery.

Question 6

Why does Polonius think Hamlet has gone mad?

Answer 6

Ophelia tells polonius about Hamlet’s behaviour to her father and that she is frightened by his madness. He believes that he is like this because Ophelia rejected his love.

Question 7

What did the ambassadors of Norway report to Claudius?

Answer 7

That he demanded his nephew did not attack Denmark and rather Poland, so he gave him funds and soldiers and is just asking for permission to safely pass through Denmark.

Question 8

What did Polonius suggest to Claudius?

Answer 8

He shows Hamlet’s love letters to the court and suggests that he and Claudius spy on Ophelia and Hamlet to see his reaction and judge if he is really mad from being lovesick.

Question 9

When Polonius speaks to Hamlet to check his madness, what does Hamlet imply?

Answer 9

Hamlet is pretending to be mad through the use of riddles, puns and allusions and he is implying that Ophelia is not a virgin and that Polonius is using her. Polonius is slow witted so he does not understand everything but he is aware that there is meaning to his actions.

Question 10

What does Hamlet say to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

Answer 10

He knows that they have been sent by the King and Queen and they admit it. Hamlet talks to them in riddles, puns, and allusions and they slightly understand.

Question 11

What scenes does Hamlet incorporate into the player’s play?

Answer 11

1. Mother hastily remarrying
2. Pouring poison into ear
3. Killer confessing his crime

Question 12

In his act 2 soliloquy, what does Hamlet express

Answer 12

Contrasts his inaction against the player’s action and ability to express grief

Question 13

What did Polonius suggest to Claudius?

Answer 13

He shows Hamlet’s love letters to the court and suggests That he and Claudius spy on Ophelia and Hamlet to see his reaction and judge if he is really mad from being lovesick.

Question 14

In his act 3 soliloquy, what does Hamlet express

Answer 14

His call for action but inability to do anything

Question 15

What is the analogy of an undiscovered country used for? and how is personification used to show his torment?

Answer 15

To represent the mystery of death and enhance his fears of dying
“slings and arrows of misfortune” showing that he is trapped in a dilemma with no easy solution

Question 16

What makes Claudius doubt Polonius’ suspicions?

Answer 16

When he tells Ophelia to get to a nunnery implying that it may just be a love quarrel and he is more focused on revenge
-also when he says all that are married may live but one

Question 17

What does Claudius admit in his solioquy?

Answer 17

-he admits to murder
-desires forgiveness for his sins
-doesn’t want to give up what he has

Question 18

Why does Hamlet compare pictures to gertrude?

Answer 18

To enhance the adultery and betrayal he feels

Question 19

What makes Gertrude think Hamlet is actually mad

Answer 19

When he sees the ghost

Question 20

What do the riddles Hamlet say to R and G about Polonius’ body mean?

Answer 20

They develop his existential thoughts about his thoughts about what happens after death and cycle of life
-believes all life comes from same source

Question 21

What causes Hamlet to finally take action?

Answer 21

Seeing how Fortinbras takes immediate action and risks lives and money for land.

Question 22

Why is Claudius scared of Laertes?

Answer 22

Because Denmark is a elective monarchy and he can be taken over since he was never granted King

Question 23

How does Shakespeare use Laertes to contrast his actions?

Answer 23

Laertes is willing to kill immediately and does not care about salvation

Question 24

How does Yorick’s skull develop theme of existentialism?

Answer 24

He is shocked at the disrespect it receives and reflects on the decay of the body and the power of nature over power and position
-all humans eventually die

Question 25

How does the scene with the gravediggers joking about their profession reflect Hamlet?

Answer 25

Reflects their joking of the theme of mystery of death with Hamlet’s intense contemplation of it.

Question 26

How does Hamlet foreshadow Laertes and his own death in the graveyard scene?

Answer 26

He says that if he really loves her, die with her and he will as well.

Question 27

Who is the equivalent to Polonius in terms of behaviour

Answer 27

Osric, both convultated in speech

Question 28

How does Horatio contrast Hamlet?

Answer 28

He is rational about the duel and believes that Claudius and Laertes is planning something, but Hamlet just goes in hastily and impulsively
-but hamlet just accepts his fate and will no longer run from actions

Question 29

What does Hamlet say before the duel to Laertes?

Answer 29

That he killed Polonius due to his madness revealing that he still had control over his mind.

Question 30

What implied Hamlet was still sane in the final act?

Answer 30

He confessed to Laertes why he killed Polonius

Question 31

What does the analogy of a sponge mean when Hamlet calls Rosencrantz and Guildenstern one?

Answer 31

He uses an analogy of a sponge to show that they work for him and don’t care about Hamlet.

Question 32

What reaffirms Claudius’s desire to send Hamlet to England?

Answer 32

When gertrude tells him he’s acting mad

Question 33

Why does Hamlet call Polonius a worm?

Answer 33

Because at the end of the day, all men get eaten by worms and he is currently at “supper”