Question

the following statements are false. make them true by changing the underlined word or phrase.

a. the queen wished to speak to ophelia immediately.

b. the king told gertrude to show no pity to ophelia.

c. ophelia entered the room screaming. later, she began to scatter paper around the room.

d. ophelia had not heard of her fathers death, and was acting in a pleasant mood.

e. laertes, accompanied by merry-makers, entered the castle and demanded answers for his mothers death.

f. the king told laertes that he would not help him find the murderer.

Explanation:

Analyze statement a

The statement says: "The Queen wished to speak to Ophelia immediately."
In Act 4, Scene 5 of Hamlet, Gertrude initially refuses to speak with the mad Ophelia ("I will not speak with her") because she feels guilt and dread. She only agrees to see her after Horatio and the Gentleman persuade her that Ophelia's distracted state might breed dangerous rumors. Thus, "wished" is incorrect and should be changed to "refused" or "declined".

Analyze statement b

The statement says: "The King told Gertrude to show no pity to Ophelia."
In Act 4, Scene 5, Claudius shows concern and pity for Ophelia's madness, saying "O, this is the poison of deep grief" and instructs Horatio to watch over her closely ("Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you"). Thus, "show no pity" is incorrect and should be changed to "watch over" or "follow".

Analyze statement c

The statement says: "Ophelia entered the room screaming. Later, she began to scatter paper around the room."
In Act 4, Scene 5, Ophelia enters singing distracted, sorrowful songs, not screaming. Later, she distributes flowers (and herbs) to those present, not paper. Thus, "screaming" should be changed to "singing", and "paper" should be changed to "flowers".

Analyze statement d

The statement says: "Ophelia had not heard of her father's death, and was acting in a pleasant mood."
Ophelia's madness is directly caused by her father Polonius's death, meaning she had indeed heard of it. Her behavior is not pleasant, but rather insane, mad, or distracted. Thus, "not heard" should be changed to "heard", and "a pleasant mood" should be changed to "a mad state" or "insane".

Analyze statement e

The statement says: "Laertes, accompanied by merry-makers, entered the castle and demanded answers for his mother's death."
Laertes returns in a fury accompanied by a rebellious mob of rioters, not merry-makers. He demands answers and revenge for his father's (Polonius's) death, not his mother's. Thus, "merry-makers" should be changed to "rioters" (or "rebels"), and "mother's" should be changed to "father's".

Analyze statement f

The statement says: "The King told Laertes that he would not help him find the murderer."
Claudius actively conspires with Laertes to seek revenge against Hamlet, promising to assist him in killing Hamlet. Thus, "would not" should be changed to "would".

Answer:

Question a

The Queen <blank>refused</blank> to speak to Ophelia immediately.

Question b

The King told Gertrude to <blank>watch over</blank> Ophelia.

Question c

Ophelia entered the room <blank>singing</blank>. Later, she began to scatter <blank>flowers</blank> around the room.

Question d

Ophelia had <blank>heard</blank> of her father's death, and was acting in <blank>a mad state</blank>.

Question e

Laertes, accompanied by <blank>rioters</blank>, entered the castle and demanded answers for his <blank>father's</blank> death.

Question f

The King told Laertes that he <blank>would</blank> help him find the murderer.