"Goodnight, Sweet Prince "- A Hamlet Quiz

Answer: Night

There is a tangible tension. Guards are edgy on the battlements, glad to be relieved of duty in the biting cold. A very skeptical Horatio has joined them or, as he puts it himself, "A piece of him" is there. Why is he skeptical? He doubts the appearance of a ghost.

Answer: Yes

Claudius appears so efficient, officially announcing his marriage, dealing with the threat from Fortinbras, allowing Laertes back to university, keeping Hamlet in Denmark to please Gertrude. But he cannot get a straight answer from Hamlet. "I shall in all else obey you Madam".

He only gets a single remark from Hamlet designed to highlight his resistance to a stepfather "I am too much in the sun".

Answer: All of these

Hamlet is torn apart by conflicting emotions: grief at his father's death, fury at his mother's hasty re-marriage, disgust at what he believes to be her crocodile tears for Old Hamlet, a feeling of impending ill and a realisation that he is powerless to stop it.

Answer: Well

Hamlet's mood changes to one of excitement; after hearing Horatio's news, he cannot wait until nightfall to confront the apparition.

Answer: Revenge

"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder". Hamlet does not seem to have any problem with revenge, but he faces a new crisis- was his mother involved in the assassination? "O! most pernicious woman" comes before his comment on Claudius.

Answer: To assume madness

Hamlet opted to "put an antick disposition on". How many reasons can you think of for his decision? Easier access to the King and Queen? Inability to cope with the news? Fact finding as he did not believe the ghost? etc.

Answer: All of these

This is a clever dramatic device, which enables Shakespeare to tell the audience something important indirectly without spoiling the flow. It also prepares us for changes in Hamlet's behaviour.

Answer: Love

Polonius had forbidden any contact between Ophelia and Hamlet, believing it could not lead to marriage. Having heard Ophelia's story, he concluded that Hamlet was lovesick. Claudius listened and agreed to spy on Hamlet, but he had other thoughts on the origins of Hamlet's behaviour.

Answer: Travelling players

Hamlet apparently was fond of the theatre in Wittenberg and had made some friends among the actors. He was genuinely pleased to hear of their arrival.

Answer: The King

The players' performance depressed Hamlet. This fine actor could alter his face, voice, etcetera for the part "What's he to Hecuba that he should weep for her?" Hamlet perceived himself as a rascal, a coward, a talker, but not a doer and a scullion, by contrast.

Answer: Behind an arras

Eavesdropping is unworthy of a king, indicating lack of trust and underhanded dealings. This is subtly conveyed here by Shakespeare's having Claudius spy. Initially Hamlet is delighted to see Ophelia, then three little words bring a sea change: "Well well well". Does he see Polonius? Does Ophelia betray her father's presence? Whatever your opinion, Hamlet turns on Ophelia. "Get thee to a nunnery", a convent if she is honest, a whorehouse if she is not.

Answer: England

Unlike Hamlet, Claudius acts decisively when faced with a threat. He sees through Hamlet's madness, and senses trouble. He decides to give Hamlet a job in England "demand our neglected tribute", a cover story. Secretly he intends to have Hamlet killed.

Answer: The Mousetrap

Hamlet and Horatio position themselves where they can watch the king. The actions so closely resemble the murder of Old Hamlet that Claudius cannot stand it and rises. It is a pyrrhic victory for Hamlet, for now Claudius realises the extent of Hamlet's knowledge and will not let him live.

Answer: Gertrude

Once more Polonius intends to act as an eavesdropper for Claudius. Polonius is unaware of the depth and range of Hamlet's emotions for his mother. "I will speak daggers to her but use none".

Answer: Claudius

Claudius kneels to pray but cannot gain forgiveness. He is alone and an easy target. Hamlet sees him and has an ideal chance to avenge. Ironically, believing that Claudius is really praying, Hamlet puts away his sword, awaiting a chance "when his heels may kick at heaven".

Answer: Pictures

Hamlet forces his mother to listen, showing her the two pictures of her husbands. All his pent-up emotions burst forth, and his anger mounts to such an extent that Gertrude fears for her life.

Answer: The ghost

Hamlet believes that the ghost has come to whet his revenge. Gertrude neither sees nor hears the ghost and concludes that Hamlet is indeed mad.

Answer: Bloody

Hamlet encounters Fortinbras's captain, who tells him that they are off to fight a battle, where there is not land enough to bury the dead but "honour" is at stake. Hamlet re-evaluates his own commitment and promises to be more decisive.

Answer: Ophelia

The death of her father proves too much for poor Ophelia; she makes one more appearance in Act 4 sc. 5 madly singing and distributing flowers. She drowns while trying to collect wild flowers.

Answer: True

Laertes initially held Claudius responsible for his father's death. Claudius directed that anger towards Hamlet.

Answer: Ophelia

This scene has at least three purposes I think: to allow Hamlet to see the fate of all with Yorick's skull; to allow for an initial confrontation and set the scene for a future confrontation between Laertes and Hamlet; and to show us the change in Hamlet.

Answer: All of these

Claudius wound Laertes around his finger, fueling his anger at the deaths of his father and sister and directing that anger at Hamlet.

Answer: Apologised to Laertes

"Give me your pardon, Sir, I have done you wrong". This gesture shows us Hamlet's moral superiority.

Answer: Laertes

Laertes, realising that he has been justly poisoned by his own treachery, "as a woodcock to mine own springe", tells Hamlet everything.

Answer: Horatio

In a very quick finale Laertes, Gertrude, Claudius, and Hamlet are dead. Horatio wished to die too, but honoured Hamlet's dying request to "tell my story".