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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. Where does Shakespeare use the themes of "Two Gentlemen of Verona", in Bloom's interpretation?

2. What does Bloom say is the relationship between "The Merchant of Venice" and "The Jew of Malta"?

3. What upsets Bloom about the ending of "The Merchant of Venice"?

4. What does Bloom say is the lesson of "Two Gentlemen of Verona"?

5. How does Bloom characterize Faulconbridge?

Short Essay Questions

1. What aspect of Nietzsche's philosophy is present in "Richard II", in Bloom's interpretation?

2. What is the cause of the comedy in "Love's Labor's Lost", according to Bloom?

3. What play does Bloom say influenced Shakespeare's "Henry VI"?

4. What is Bloom's estimation of "Two Gentlemen of Verona"?

5. What does Bloom say "Henry VI" did for Shakespeare?

6. What similarity does Bloom say there is between "Twelfth Night" and a Ben Jonson play?

7. How does Bloom say the relationship between men and women 'Love's Labor's Lost' is emblematic of the relations between the sexes in other plays?

8. How does Bloom defend "Midsummer Night's Dream" from criticism?

9. What does Bloom say is the true subject of "Julius Caesar"?

10. How does Bloom describe the meaning of his title, "The Invention of the Human"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many of his other works of criticism, Bloom describes his affinity for the Gnostic idea that there is one eternal, living moment, and we enter into it and depart from it, but the flame itself stays alive, transcendent and human. Where do you think the flame that is burning in Shakespeare is burning today?

Essay Topic 2

Are there places where you feel like Bloom got an interpretation wrong, or not completely right? Where would you supplement or correct his insights? Where would you quibble with his analysis? If you can't find a place to quibble, identify the place where he is most convincing, and other critics seem to have been less insightful than him.

Essay Topic 3

What does Bloom say Shakespeare teaches us about the relation between men and women? That women are stronger? That men are? Use examples from Bloom's analysis to formulate your argument.

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