Hamlet Knowledge Assessment

Who killed king Hamlet? Claudius
Why does Hamlet say Polonius died? Because he was always in everyone’s business
Why does Hamlet not want Horatio to drink the poison? Because he wants Horatio to live and tell his story
Who talks to the ghost? Hamlet
Why does Polonius believe Hamlet has gone crazy? For Ophelia’s love
Why was Hamlet unable to kill Claudius when he was alone with him in the room after the play? Because Claudius was praying
Why does Ophelia go crazy? Because she loses all the men in her life (Laertes leaves to college, Hamlet deserts her, Polonius dies)
Who is asked by the king to “spy” on Hamlet? Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
How long was it between King Hamlet’s death and Claudius’s and Gertrude’s wedding? “within a month”
How does Hamlet kill Polonius? Stabs him through a curtain
Whose skull does Yorick’s resemble in the graveyard? Alexander (the Great)
How does Hamlet act at Ophelia’s funeral? Angry at Laertes
What kills Gertrude? Poisoned wine meant for Hamlet
What happens in the play Hamlet sets up for Claudius? The king’s brother kills him and marries his wife
When does Hamlet kill Claudius? When he himself is dying
Whose skull does Hamlet discover in the churchyard? Yorick
Which character is unable to see the Ghost? Gertrude
Who is the character to die last in the play? Hamlet
What does Ophelia hand out to people after Polonius’ death? Flowers
What does The Murder of Gonzago represent? The murder of king Hamlet
What important plant does Ophelia keep for herself? Rue
Who does the King of England kill instead of Hamlet? Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
What poisoned the wine intended for Hamlet at the sword fight against Laertes? Union/pearl
What obscures Polonius in Gertrude’s room? An arras
When was the only time Hamlet showed his love for Ophelia? In his coded letter
What does Hamlet compare Rosencrantz to? A sponge
How does Laertes feel about the King’s death? He feels he was “justly served”
How does Fortinbras think Hamlet would have behaved like as king? He would have proved most royal
Who is Hamlet’s foil? Laertes
For whom does the First player weep for? Hecuba
What do Laertes and Hamlet fight with? Foils
How does Ophelia die? She drowns
How does Hamlet prove Claudius’ guilt of killing King Hamlet? The play
Why was Claudius unable to directly kill Hamlet? Because the citizens loved him too much
Why does Fortinbras want to take over Denmark? To avenge his father’s death
According to Polonius, where does Hamlet’s first responsibility lie? With the kingdom
How many lines of dialogue are there between Horatio and Marcellus from the time Hamlet and the Ghost leave and when Horatio and Marcellus follow them? Six
How does Polonius act in his conversation with Hamlet about clouds? He agrees with every shape Hamlet suggests
What does King Claudius pray for? Forgiveness
What does the Ghost say to Hamlet regarding his mother? “leave her to heaven”
Who does Polonius send to France to spy on Laertes? Reynaldo
What is the name of the city in which Hamlet studied? Wittenberg
What is the name of the play that Hamlet stages? The Murder of Gonzago
What do Polonius and Laertes warn Ophelia about? That she should preserve her virtue
What is Hamlet wearing in his first introduction of the play? Mourning clothes
Which character says “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”? Marcellus
How did the ghost say he was killed? He was stung in the ear by a serpent
What is a woman’s love to Hamlet? Brief
What is Hamlet not able to distinguish when the wind is from north-north-west? The difference between a hawk and a handsaw
Who does Hamlet think he is stabbing when he kills Polonius? Claudius