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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. Who finally promises to accompany Gaveston on his journey to Edward?

2. Which of the nobles wounds Gaveston in this scene?

3. What land's ship do the nobles take to pursue Gaveston at the end of Scene 3?

4. What entreaty does Mortimer Junior make to Edward when they enter in Scene 1?

5. According to Mortimer Junior, what do the Mortimers never do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who orders Kent's execution and how?

2. How does Mortimer Junior convince the other nobles that Gaveston should be recalled?

3. Describe the relationship between Leicester and Edward.

4. What expectation does Edward have after giving up his crown?

5. How does Edward react to giving up his crown?

6. What is Warwick's plan at the end of Scene 5?

7. What is Mortimer's plan regarding Edward III?

8. In what precarious situation are Spencer Junior and Baldock in Act 2, Scene 1?

9. How does Baldock calm Spencer Junior at the end of Scene 6?

10. Why does Spencer Junior send Levune to France at the end of Act 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay examining the motivations and essential character of Mortimer Junior. What are his grievances against the King? Are they well-founded, and does he defend them in reasonable ways? Is he, in the end, merely an ambitious charlatan who wants only to consolidate power? Is ahe a concerned peer of England? Does he exist somewhere in between? Cite from the text to defend your position.

Essay Topic 2

Queen Isabella is perhaps the most dynamic character in the play, moving from wronged woman to warrior to conniver. Write an essay charting this progress and focusing on these three manifestations. What does she want from Edward II at the beginning of the play, and at what point does she give up on this hope? What does her relationship with Mortimer Junior say about her position in the conflict between Edward and the nobles? How does her personality change in the final two acts?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the representation of evil in Edward II. Begin with the character of Lightborn as Marlowe's demonic creation; then examine some of the more subtle and ambiguous forms of evil in the story. Are there any major players that are completely malevolent? Does almost every major figure display some capacity for evil deeds? What is Marlowe saying about human nature with this cast of characters?

(see the answer keys)

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