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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Antony foreshadow by telling Eros that they must sleep, after Mardian delivers news of Cleopatra's death?

2. How many lines are there in Act 4, Scene 11?

3. How many soldiers are present in Act 4, Scene 9?

4. What does Enobarbus throw against the "flint and hardness" of his fault, figuratively speaking?

5. Who accompanies Antony at the outset of Act 4, Scene 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Antony react to the desertion by Enobarbus?

2. How does Antony behave towards his servants before the battle at Alexandria?

3. What does the sudden music expose within the soldiers of Antony before the battle at Alexandria?

4. Why does Cleopatra tell Mardian to inform Antony that she has died?

5. How does the news of Cleopatra's death affect Antony's actions?

6. What happens to Enobarbus after his speech in Act 4, Scene 9?

7. What is meant by Charmian's statement that "The soul and body rive not more in parting / Than greatness going off"?

8. In what way are the places of the two armies shown to be exchanged in Act 4, Scene 8?

9. What characterizes Enobarbus' speech which he calls upon the moon to witness?

10. In what way is Antony's disposition towards the battle at Alexandria changed on the second day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 3, Scenes 10 through 13, Antony is unveiled as being shamed and enraged to the point of violence by that shame. Having fled battle, shown himself to appear a coward, and having his woman enticed by a servant of his enemy, Antony is overcome with emotional discord. By formulating an insightful essay, examine the inherent relationship between shame, anger, and violence, as it is portrayed in Antony and Cleopatra. In what scenes does the relationship become evident? How does it become evident? What motivates Antony, or any other characters for whom you can find examples, to feelings of shame? How is this shame related to anger and/or violence?

Essay Topic 2

The primary element to the vibrancy of any of Shakespeare's plays, particularly those that are historically based, is the richness of the characters' portrayal. As such, comprehending the roles of even the most minor characters can be crucial to appreciation of the play as a whole. In the case of Antony and Cleopatra, every character revolves around fidelity to some other, more powerful individual. Analyze in an insightful essay all of the characters who are fundamentally attached to Antony, excluding Enobarbus. What is common among the various characters attached to Antony? How does this reflect upon Antony himself? What sort of relationship is there between each character and Antony? Upon what is the relationship founded? Is there any sort of reciprocity present?

Essay Topic 3

Of all Cleopatra's many unique character traits, none is perhaps as efficacious on the action and plot of the story as her vanity. In a well-written essay, analyze the cataclysm that is caused by her vain pursuits. In what instances does she show her vanity? How does it affect characters and their actions? What sparks her vain tendencies? What is the evident moral consequence of indulging one's own vanity, as demonstrated by Cleopatra?

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