Act I Test
Hamlet
Name_________________________
1. Explain why the guards are upset in scene 1.
2. Explain the difference between an aside (page 38) and a soliloquy (p. 42).
3. Give one example of a pun, a play on words, from Act
4. Give an example of an allusion from Act I.
5. In scene 1, a rooster is referred to as the "trumpet of the morn." This quote is an
example of what type of figurative language?
______________________________
6. On page 34, King Claudius says, that Hamlet's memory of his father may still be
green. Explain what he means by that statement.
7.
Claudius has certainly taken his place as king and Gertrude's wife with
confidence. Describe three particular things he has said or he has done that show
he is very comfortable in his position.
A.
B.
C.
8. On page 46, Hamlet refers to the food used at his father's funeral as the same food
that was served at his mother's and uncle's wedding reception. State the tone
(attitude) of his comment, and identify the type of figurative language this
statement would represent.
Tone- ______________________
Type of figurative language-_________________________________
9. In scene 2, Hamlet calls his mother all of the following except:
A. incestuous B. weak C. vile D. common
10. List 5 pieces of advice that Polonius gives to Laertes. Let the last one be the most
important one, according to Polonius.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.***
11. State one reason that Laertes gives Ophelia for why she should be careful about
Hamlet.
12. Laertes best describes Hamlet to Ophelia as: (look up words if needed)
A. chaste B. Jocund C. Truant D. trifling E. harrowing
13. On page 66, line 50, what does Hamlet mean by "Let me not burst in ignorance"?
You are going to have to consider the whole context of the passage and lines to answer
this.
14. Identify the figurative statement on page 68 that implies danger
.
15. Hamlet threatens to kill his good friends Horatio and Marcellus if they do not let him
go with the ghost. What does this statement indicate to you about Hamlet's character?
A. He really does not consider them his friends.
B. He is excited to see his dad. This is the best news he's had in two months.
C. He is feeling desperation brought on by anger over his father's death.
D. He wishes he could go back to school.
E. Ophelia has really frustrated him with her behavior.