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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 seems to be a predominant characteristic of Clotaldo?

2. What two characters are talking together?

3. Who is in the tower drugged?

4. What does Clotaldo tell the king?

5. What is likely to happen given that the story is incomplete and the foreshadowing that has taken place up to this point?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Clotaldo's actions in this scene give the audience a glimpse into a possible positive characteristic of the man?

2. Does it seem likely that Segismundo would really believe Clotaldo when Clotaldo tells Segismundo he was just dreaming?

3. How does Segismundo's treatment of Clotaldo reflect upon his future behavior if he gains the throne?

4. What is one of the key ideas of the play that comes up in Act 2, Scene 2?

5. Does the king deserve Clotaldo's loyalty?

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

7. When this scene opens what is happening with Clarnn?

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

9. Does it seem odd that Clarnn is cast into prison even though several servants assisted the process of getting Segismundo back to the prison tower?

10. Why has Clotaldo returned to the palace in such haste?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the opening to Act 1, Scene 2, Cousins Estrella and Asolfo are niece and nephew to the king, who as far as they know, has no son or daughter of his own. Estrella claims the throne as the eldest child of the eldest daughter; Astolfo's claim lies in the fact of his gender. Were the situation reversed and Astolfo was the eldest child of the eldest daughter, there would be no question to his rights to the throne. Most monarchies of Europe are based upon preference to males as heirs to the throne even today. Choose one of the following to write a cohesive, detailed essay:

1. Write a cohesive essay detailing why you think men are or are not more capable of ruling than woman. Include some historical citations from at least two European countries.

2. Write an essay discussing how you think the ruling styles of men and women would differ. Which style would you prefer? Why?

3. Write an essay describing how you think the rules of ascension should be enacted and why you believe your idea is better than two European counties you research.

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

Clotaldo continually prevaricates both to Segismundo and Rosaura; he does so because of his loyalty to the king (in Segismundo's case) and out of feeling obligated to Astolfo for saving Clotaldo's life. Write a cohesive essay addressing the questions below using specific examples from the text and your personal life.

Is there ever a good justification for lying--either by actively lying or passively not speaking up? About what would you feel fine lying to someone? Are there times that you would absolutely refuse to lie? Are there degrees of truth? How do you feel emotionally when you have lied? Does it depend upon the reason you lie? Do you believe Clotaldo is justified in lying both to Segismundo over the years and more recently to Rosaura?

(see the answer keys)

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