"Hamlet" Do you know the text ? Quiz

Answer: Bernado and Marcellus

Francisco has just gone off duty. It was during the hours when Bernardo and Marcellus kept watch that the ghost had started to appear.

Answer: Men working on ships by both day and night.

Marcelleus talks about the "impress of shipwrights" - suggesting continuous forced labour. There is no mention of gunpowder, though we are told that new cannon are being cast. Generally there is a feeling that there is no difference between a week day and a Sunday and there is little difference between day and night - the war-work goes on.

Answer: The carrying of a letter to the uncle of warlike Young Fortinbras

Claudius opens his part in the play with an impressive speech which works through a series of items as thought they were on an agenda. First he thanks his court for their approval of his marriage to Gertrude. Then there is the problem with Young Fortinbras. After that he deals with the leave-taking of Laertes.Finally he comes to Hamlet.

Answer: Less than two months

"That it should come to this -
But two months dead, nay not so much, not two -"
Claudius can claim that he acted quickly to ensure continuity of leadership in the face of a foreign enemy. Gertrude's motives are not so easily explained away.Hamlet later reduces it to "within a month."

Answer: All of these reasons.

Laertes uses a combination of all these arguments to try to put his sister on her guard. It is notable that he considers carefully what Hamlet's family might require from the Prince. He is being cautious about Claudius's intentions.

Answer: Do not spend any time in future talking with Hamlet

At this early stage of the play it is difficult to penetrate Polonius' true feelings. Is he cynical in his attitude towards Hamlet's so-called honourable advances? Is he dirty-minded in his "understanding" of young men's behaviour ? Later, it could be said that if it can advance him with the King, Polonius will use Ophelia as bait and countermand these orders.

Answer: Claudius poured poison in his ear whilst he slept.

The details of the death that the Ghost describes are highly upsetting. The poison's effects are compared in at least two ways to the way in which leprosy takes over the body. The idea of the defenceless man sleeping in his orchard is also particularly disturbing for we are all vulnerable when asleep.

Answer: By inventing false accusations of bad conduct to see if anyone agrees

Amongst the possible "crimes" that Polonius sees his son being involved in are gaming, drinking, fencing, swearing and drabbing (sexual relationships with paid women). He tells Reynaldo he can suggest that Laertes is guilty of these sins and see if the people he talks to confirm this.It's an example of Polonius' over devious mind.

Answer: His cuffs were stained with ink.

His stockings were also "fouled" or muddy. The look on Hamlet's face was of one who has just got out of hell. He stares at Ophelia closely and keeps staring at her as he makes his way out of the room. Polonius interprets this as the "ecstasy of love".

Answer: To help Hamlet cheer up and to find out what is wrong with him.

Claudius is asking for their help in a very plausible way and he asks in a public scene. Thus, to all eyes, he could be seen as a kindly uncle trying to help his nephew back to a better spirit. Naturally there could be other reasons for wanting to know exactly what Hamlet's feelings are.

Answer: Free passage across Denmark for the army on the way to fight the Poles.

Claudius must be full of relief at the success of the mission of Valtemand and Cornelius. The old king of Norway has "reined in" his nephew so that Denmark is no longer the target. Instead Fortinbras is to use his recently gathered army against the Poles.

Answer: To leave Ophelia with Hamlet and they will both hide and watch them.

By now Polonius appears to have convinced himself that Hamlet's apparent madness and melancholy has been caused by his frustrated love for Ophelia. Without the slightest regard for Ophelia Polonius is prepared to use her in order to prove his point to the King.

Answer: The players.

Watching the players was previously one of the pleasures that Hamlet had apparently taken delight in. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are thus following Claudius' orders in trying to draw Hamlet on to pleasures.

Answer: The killing of King Priam by the brutal Pyrrhus.

Hamlet seems fascinated by the tale of the ruthless killing of an old king by a man who is depicted as bloody and brutal. Is this meant to reflect the way he feels about his father and Claudius after he has heard the tale told by the Ghost?

Answer: Lack of passion over his father's death compared with the players' acting.

The player can get himself worked up over a fictional situation in which he is not really personally involved. Hamlet is angry at his own lack of feeling and incapacity for action. However, he has arranged for a play to be performed that should give him clinching evidence that the Ghost spoke the truth and Claudius is guilty.

Answer: He refers to the art of make-up where true appearance is disguised.

Hamlet feels betrayed by all woman-kind by the behaviour of his mother. His harsh treatment of Ophelia is probably general distrust and disgust rather than any specific faults in the woman he once loved.

Answer: He asks him to observe his uncle's behaviour at the play.

Hamlet considers that he can "wear" Horatio in his "heart of hearts". He needs someone to help confirm his suspicions and to view objectively the behaviour of Claudius when the crucial part of the play is performed.

Answer: Julius Caesar

Polonius' own fate is even more ignominious than that of the Roman leader. However, the idea of being stabbed to death is repeated. Earlier Horatio had made an allusion to the portents seen before the death of Caesar whilst he was waiting on the battlements.

Answer: When the poison is poured into Gonzago's ears.

Whether the King reacts to the action in front of him or to Hamlet's words as well is open to debate.His reaction would appear to confirm that what the Ghost said about Claudius and his chosen method of murder was true.

Answer: A cloud

Hamlet feigning madness is trying to see how far Polonius will go in humouring him. He has just accused Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of trying to play on him like he was a pipe.His old friends have not managed to deceive him for he knows their loyalty has been given to the King and Queen.

Answer: Claudius' soul may go to heaven if he is killed in prayer.

Scholars have argued over whether his given reason matches what they see as the "real reason" for his delay. Ironically Claudius admits to the audience that he cannot really pray because though his words fly up, his thoughts remain below.

Answer: One of Hamlet's father and one of Claudius.

Some suggest miniatures, the first of King Hamlet worn by Hamlet, the second of Claudius worn by Gertrude.Others suggest full length hanging portraits.

Answer: They are ready to die for nothing - he hasn't the courage to kill Claudius..

The Captain informs him that the Norwegian army is going to fight against a little section of Poland that isn't worth very much. The Poles are prepared to defend it with many men in spite of its lack of worth. Hamlet reflects that he has many good reasons for taking up arms against a real evil (Claudius, the murderer of his father) and yet he has constantly delayed doing so.

Answer: fencing with the rapier

Claudius wants to make use of Laertes' skill with a rapier as part of his plot to dispose of Hamlet without drawing too much suspicion on himself. For his part Laertes does not seem entirely innocent for he is carrying a deadly poison he bought from a "mountebank". He suggests putting it on the end of his weapon.

Answer: twenty-three years

If we are to believe this statement then it gives us some information about Hamlet's age. Hamlet claims to have known Yorick and to have ridden on his back and to have kissed his lips. This places Hamlet's age at least in the mid or late twenties. It has often been the excuse for older actors to take on the role.