Hamlet Quiz Questions! Trivia
Have you ever read Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet? ” This quiz might be able to clarify things. There is an antagonist and a protagonist, just like in every other story. Hamlet portrays many different themes, such as love, guilt, friendship, and death. Learn the value of this play, what happened in each act, and the importance of each act. See how much you know about Hamlet, take the quiz.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
The ghost first appears in the play in Act One, scene three.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The ghost does not first appear in Act One, scene three. Therefore, the statement is false.Rate this question:
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- 2.
___ tells Hamlet "'Tis unmanly grief."
Correct Answer
ClaudiusExplanation
Claudius is the character who tells Hamlet, "'Tis unmanly grief." This statement implies that Claudius believes Hamlet's grief is weak and unbecoming of a man. This suggests that Claudius may be trying to manipulate or belittle Hamlet's emotions in order to maintain his own power and control over the situation.Rate this question:
- 3.
The protagonist of Hamlet is:
- A.
Hamlet
- B.
Claudius
- C.
Rosencrantz
Correct Answer
A. HamletExplanation
The correct answer is Hamlet because he is the main character and the central figure in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The story revolves around his quest for revenge and his internal struggle with morality, making him the protagonist. Claudius and Rosencrantz are important characters in the play, but they do not hold the same level of significance or drive the plot as much as Hamlet does.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The antagonist of Hamlet is:
- A.
Polonius
- B.
Hamlet
- C.
Claudius
Correct Answer
C. ClaudiusExplanation
Claudius is the correct answer because he is the main antagonist in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. He is the brother of Hamlet's father and the current king of Denmark. Claudius is responsible for the murder of his brother in order to seize the throne and marry his brother's widow, Gertrude. Throughout the play, Hamlet seeks revenge against Claudius for his father's death, making him the central antagonist of the story.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What does Hamlet reveal when he says "The play's the thing, wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king"?
- A.
His plot to elope with Ophelia
- B.
His plot to expose the king's guilt
- C.
His intent to be entertained
Correct Answer
B. His plot to expose the king's guiltExplanation
Hamlet reveals his plot to expose the king's guilt when he says "The play's the thing, wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." This statement indicates that Hamlet plans to use a play as a means to uncover the truth and reveal the guilt of the king. He believes that by staging a play that mirrors the events surrounding his father's murder, he will be able to elicit a guilty reaction from the king, thus proving his culpability. This plan demonstrates Hamlet's cunning and determination to seek justice for his father's death.Rate this question:
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- 6.
How did Claudius murder King Hamlet?
- A.
By stabbing him
- B.
By ordering him to be hanged
- C.
By pouring poison in his ear
Correct Answer
C. By pouring poison in his earExplanation
Claudius murdered King Hamlet by pouring poison in his ear. This method of assassination is known as "the method of pouring poison in the ear" and is famously depicted in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. In the play, Claudius pours poison into King Hamlet's ear while he is sleeping, causing his death. This act sets the stage for the events that follow in the play, as Hamlet seeks to avenge his father's murder.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Ophelia dies by drowning in a river.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Ophelia's death by drowning in a river is a significant event in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." In Act IV, Scene VII, Ophelia's mental state deteriorates after the death of her father, Polonius. She eventually falls into a river and drowns. This tragic event is witnessed by Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, and Laertes, Ophelia's brother. The theme of Ophelia's death by water symbolizes her internal struggle and her ultimate descent into madness. Therefore, the answer "True" accurately reflects the outcome of Ophelia's fate in the play.Rate this question:
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- 8.
A group of monks return Hamlet to Denmark after his exile.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False -
- 9.
Why, according to Polonius, has Hamlet gone mad?
- A.
He is in love with Ophelia
- B.
He grieves too much for his father
- C.
He misses college and longs to return
Correct Answer
A. He is in love with OpheliaExplanation
According to Polonius, Hamlet has gone mad because he is in love with Ophelia. This suggests that Polonius believes that Hamlet's love for Ophelia has overwhelmed him to the point of madness. It implies that Hamlet's emotions and feelings for Ophelia have become so intense that they have affected his mental state. This explanation aligns with Polonius' character as a cautious and observant advisor, as he is likely to attribute Hamlet's madness to a personal and emotional reason rather than a more abstract or complex one.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Who speaks the famous “To be, or not to be” soliloquy?
- A.
Claudius
- B.
Horatio
- C.
Hamlet
Correct Answer
C. HamletExplanation
In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," the character of Hamlet himself speaks the famous "To be, or not to be" soliloquy. This soliloquy is a contemplation on the nature of life and death, as Hamlet ponders whether it is better to exist in the face of troubles or to end one's own life. The soliloquy is a key moment in the play and showcases Hamlet's introspective and philosophical nature.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Who is Hamlet's best friend?
- A.
Laertes
- B.
Bernardo
- C.
Horatio
Correct Answer
C. HoratioExplanation
Hamlet's best friend is Horatio. Throughout the play, Horatio remains loyal and supportive of Hamlet, providing him with advice and serving as a confidant. Horatio is the one who witnesses the appearance of King Hamlet's ghost and informs Hamlet about it. He also accompanies Hamlet during key moments, such as the encounter with the ghost and the final duel. Horatio's unwavering friendship and trust make him Hamlet's closest and most reliable companion.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Why does Hamlet decide not to kill Claudius after the traveling players’ play?
- A.
Claudius is praying.
- B.
Gertrude is in the next room.
- C.
Claudius is sleeping
Correct Answer
A. Claudius is praying.Explanation
Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius after the traveling players' play because Claudius is praying. This moment provides Hamlet with an opportunity to enact his revenge while Claudius is vulnerable and unguarded. However, Hamlet hesitates because he believes that if he kills Claudius while he is praying, his soul will go to heaven, thus denying him the punishment he deserves for his sins. Hamlet wants to ensure that Claudius suffers for his actions, so he decides to wait for a more opportune time to kill him.Rate this question:
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- 13.
What year was Shakespeare born?
- A.
1616
- B.
1764
- C.
1564
Correct Answer
C. 1564Explanation
Shakespeare was born in 1564. This is the correct answer because historical records indicate that William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. While the exact date of his birth is unknown, it is widely accepted that he was born in late April of that year.Rate this question:
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- 14.
William Shakespeare died in 1616.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The given statement is true. William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright, indeed died in 1616. This fact is widely accepted and supported by historical records. Shakespeare's death is believed to have occurred on April 23, 1616, in Stratford-upon-Avon, his birthplace. His passing marked the end of an era in English literature and left behind a lasting legacy of his plays and sonnets.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Hamlet and Laertes had a fist fight in Ophelia's grave.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Hamlet and Laertes had a fist fight in Ophelia's grave. This statement is true because in Act 5, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," both Hamlet and Laertes jump into Ophelia's grave during her funeral. They argue and end up physically fighting each other, symbolizing their rivalry and anger towards each other. This scene is significant as it foreshadows the final duel between Hamlet and Laertes later in the play.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Polonius is Horatio and Ophelia's father.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Polonius is not the father of both Horatio and Ophelia. In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Polonius is the father of Ophelia, but he is not related to Horatio. Therefore, the statement is false.Rate this question:
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- 17.
_____ is Hamlet's mother and aunt.
Correct Answer
GertrudeExplanation
Gertrude is the correct answer because she is both Hamlet's mother and his aunt. In the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, Gertrude is the wife of King Hamlet and later marries his brother, Claudius, after King Hamlet's death. This makes her Hamlet's mother and his aunt, as Claudius is Gertrude's brother-in-law.Rate this question:
- 18.
_____ kills Polonius.
Correct Answer
HamletExplanation
Hamlet kills Polonius. In Shakespeare's play Hamlet, the protagonist Hamlet mistakenly stabs Polonius, who is hiding behind a curtain in Gertrude's chamber. Hamlet, driven by his anger and impulsiveness, believes he is confronting his mother's lover, Claudius. This act of violence further complicates the plot and leads to the tragic events that unfold in the play.Rate this question:
- 19.
The genre of Hamlet is ________.
Correct Answer
play
dramaExplanation
Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare, making "play" the correct answer. Additionally, the play falls under the genre of drama, as it is a work of literature that presents a serious and often tragic theme, involving conflicts and emotions of the characters.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Dec 14, 2010Quiz Created by
Jfinney