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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 may be foreshadowed about Segismundo's future behavior in this scene?

2. Who enters the prison tower?

3. What does Segismundo say he ought to do to Clotaldo?

4. What is the dominant tension in this scene?

5. What is Caltaldo's final word on the subject?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Segismundo respond to the soldiers' errand?

2. About what does Rosaura speak to Clotaldo?

3. Perhaps the most logical of all the character's words and actions takes place now as Rosaura rebuts Clotaldo's claiming honor as a reason he cannot harm Astolfo. What is Rosaura's rationale as to why Clotoldo can honorably help her.

4. What transpires at the beginning of this scene?

5. Why is Clarnn cast into prison?

6. What do you think Estrella's motives are in urging the king to personally go quell the rioting?

7. Does the king deserve Clotaldo's loyalty?

8. What does Clotaldo say to Rosaura and is this a reasonable response?

9. Why have the soldiers come to the tower prison?

10. What is happening to Segismundo when this scene opens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 3, Scene 1, Soldiers arrive at the prison tower and ask Segismundo to lead them in a rebellion against the king and his declaration of Asolfo and Estrella as joint heirs to the throne. Answer one of the following in a well-written essay using detailed examples from the book or other sources.

1. How often do you think a king or queen is overthrown by one is his/her children? What do you think are some of the reasons that a child overthrows his/her parent off a throne?

2. Would you be willing to depose your parent from the throne? Under what circumstances?

3. If you were the younger son/daughter and the older child was to inherit the throne but you knew he or she would be a murderous, tyrannous ruler, what would you do? Would you go so far as to have that sibling murdered?

4. Do you think the throne should be passed to the oldest child or to the child most able to rule? How would a parent decide who is most able?

Essay Topic 2

In Act 2, Scene 2, when Segismundo reveals his "dream" to Clotaldo, Clotaldo replies: "for even in a dream, remember, it's still worth doing what is right" (p. 339). Discuss the following ideas in a well-written essay citing examples from the play.

1. Do you believe the above statement for your own life?

2. Give examples when you have chosen to do something right when it wasn't important and when it was important.

3. Are there are times you did not do what was right and regret it? Can you still make amends? Would you try to make amends if you could?

4. Do you believe you could choose the right act over an unethical one even if you were the only one to do so in a group of friends? With your family?

Essay Topic 3

In Act 3, Scene 1, Segismundo perpetuates an act of clemency to Clotaldo, who has in the service of the king, wronged Segismundo over the years.

1. Do you believe you would have granted Clotaldo clemency had he participated in your imprisonment?

2. Is there a time you have, against the advice of others or your inclination, forgiven someone for a grievous wrong that person committed against you? How did you feel afterward? Were you glad to have forgiven that person?

3. Do acts of clemency from a king or president or ruler serve the greater good? Explain your answer and give an example, either real or hypothetical.

4. Just before leaving office, the president of the United States often grants pardons to numerous felons. Do you believe this power to grant pardons by the president is right? Does it benefit the nation or just the person receiving the pardon?

(see the answer keys)

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