Hamlet Themes Quiz
Hamlet by William Shakespeare · 6 multiple-choice questions with answers · about 5 min
Test your knowledge of Hamlet with 6 themes questions with answers and explanations — the big ideas and what the writer is saying about them. Ideal for revision once you have read the whole play.
The big ideas and what the writer is saying about them. Drawn from the whole play — contains spoilers.
Skills tested: Theme · Difficulty: Challenge, Standard
Hamlet Themes questions
The answers and an explanation for each question appear as you play, and on the answer-key page of the printout.
- Marcellus says something is rotten in the state of Denmark. What does the line set up for the play?
A famine that has emptied Denmark's stores · An invasion by young Fortinbras's army · A plague spreading from the castle town · Corruption at the top infecting the whole realm
- In the 'To be, or not to be' soliloquy, what does Hamlet say keeps people enduring their troubles?
Love of family and loyal friends · Dread of what may come after death · Fear of the law and the King's justice · Hope that fortune will soon improve
- Watching Fortinbras's army march to fight over a worthless patch of Poland, what does Hamlet resolve?
That his thoughts must be bloody or worthless · That war over land is always folly · That he will join Fortinbras abroad · That revenge should be left to heaven
- What does Fortinbras's arrival at the end of the play signify?
Horatio will rule as Hamlet wished · Norway's old king reclaims his lands · The Ghost has finally been laid to rest · Denmark's crown passes to a foreign soldier
- What does the graveyard scene suggest about death?
It levels kings and jesters alike · It is a reward for the virtuous · It can be outwitted by the wise · It comes only to the wicked
- Hamlet's long delay is most often linked to which theme?
The joys of romantic love · The value of loyal friendship · The danger of foreign invasion · The gap between thought and action
More Hamlet practice: all Hamlet quizzes · characters quiz · themes quiz · plot recall quiz · read Hamlet free
Act and scene numbers follow the standard modern edition (e.g. Folger). Hamlet's Act IV, Scene iv soliloquy appears in the Second Quarto, which modern classroom editions include.
Original questions written for Pagine. Quotations are from the public-domain text.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Hamlet Themes quiz free?
Yes. All 6 questions are free with answers and explanations. Play online with instant feedback, or print it as a test with an answer key — no sign-up needed.
What does the Hamlet Themes quiz cover?
6 themes questions drawn from every part of Hamlet. The big ideas and what the writer is saying about them. It tests theme at challenge, standard level.
Does it contain spoilers?
Yes — it draws on the whole play, including the ending.
Can I use it with a class?
Yes. Print it with the answer key for a reading check, homework or revision lesson, or share the link so students can take it online.
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