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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 Bosola do upon finding Antonio's dropped item outside of the Duchess's door?

2. Which of the following characters are all related?

3. When the Duchess first plans to speak with Antonio, she asks Cariola to:

4. How much time has passed between Act 2 and Act 3?

5. What relationship do Julia and Castruchio have?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can a reader learn about Antonio in just the first scene?

2. What does the fact that the Cardinal has a mistress show about his character?

3. What does the Duchess think about her brothers' declaration that she should not marry? What does she do after they leave?

4. What does the Duchess think of her brothers at the beginning of the play?

5. Who is the symbol of hope for the future at the conclusion of the play?

6. Why is Ferdinand not more admired by the people who work for him?

7. What does the Duchess tell Antonio about her brothers' reaction to her getting remarried?

8. Why did Bosola want to find out what was "wrong" with the Duchess so badly?

9. Is the Cardinal well respected by Bosola? Why or why not?

10. What do you think of the fact that Bosola still does not know who the father of the Duchess's children is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ferdinand gradually descends into madness as the play progresses. Describe one thing each character listed below could have done to try to prevent his madness from progressing, and specify when they might have done it.

1) Bosola

2) The Cardinal

3) The Duchess

Essay Topic 2

Religion is used throughout the play as a cover for hidden motives and secret plans. What message do you think Webster was trying to convey about religion at the time? Use 3 examples from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

What function does the echo serve in Act 5, Scene 3 (when Antonio and Delio are talking about Antonio's plans to confront the Cardinal about the Duchess's murder)? Describe 3 things Webster is able to convey to the audience by using this particular literary device. What other literary devices could be used to convey a similar message?

(see the answer keys)

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