Question

the following questions based on act 3 of hamlet in modern eng
the space provided or select the best choice for multiple - choice qu
choice questions (20 pts.)
mous soliloquy, “to be or not to be,” what is hamlet contempl
ther to confront claudius directly.
hether life is worth living or if it is better to end his suffering.
whether he should return to wittenberg.
d. whether ophelia truly loves him.

1. what is claudiuss reaction after watching the play - within - a - play (\t

mousetrap\)?
a. he laughs and praises hamlets creativity.
b. he storms out, revealing his guilt.
c. he accuses hamlet of treason.
d. he announces his plan to send hamlet to england.

1. why does hamlet refuse to kill claudius while he is praying?

a. he is unsure if claudius is guilty.
b. he wants to wait for a moment when claudius is committing a sin.
c. he feels pity for claudius.
d. he is afraid of being caught.

1. what advice does hamlet give to the actors before they perform

a. perform as dramatically as possible to stir the audiences emotion
b. be natural and avoid overacting.
c. perform quickly to hold the audiences attention.
d. ignore claudiuss reaction to the play.

1. what does polonius do while gertrude and hamlet are talking

a. he hides behind a curtain to eavesdrop.
b. he defends claudiuss honor.
c. he warns hamlet to leave denmark.
d. he tries to stop their argument.
part 2 - true or false (5 pts.)

1. true or false: claudius admits in a soliloquy that he murdered

Explanation:

For question 2, in Act 3 of Hamlet, when Claudius watches "The Mousetrap" (the play - within - a - play), his guilty conscience is pricked, and he storms out, which is a key moment showing his guilt.
For question 3, Hamlet refuses to kill Claudius while he is praying because he believes that if he kills Claudius in a state of prayer (a seemingly "holy" act), Claudius might go to heaven. Hamlet wants to wait for a moment when Claudius is committing a sin so that Claudius will go to hell, which is a more fitting punishment for his murder of Hamlet's father.
For question 5, Polonius, being a scheming character, hides behind a curtain to eavesdrop on Gertrude and Hamlet's conversation.

Answer:

1. B. He storms out, revealing his guilt.
2. B. He wants to wait for a moment when Claudius is committing a sin.
3. A. He hides behind a curtain to eavesdrop.