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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 false name does Viola take when she enters Orsino's employ in Twelfth Night?

2. What keepsake does Iago use to convince Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful?

3. Who tries to warn Timon of his bad habits?

4. What is Mariana's connection to Angelo in Measure for Measure?

5. Which character is not killed by Hamlet?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Pericles lose Thaisa at sea?

2. How does Helena become betrothed to Bertram in the beginning of All's Well That Ends Well?

3. Why is Romeo banished from Verona?

4. What happens when Viola, in disguise, goes to Olivia on Orsino's behalf?

5. Why is Othello summoned before the Duke of Venice for his marriage?

6. How does Pericles end up marrying Thaisa?

7. How are both twins married at the end of Twelfth Night?

8. Why does Hamlet kill Polonius?

9. Describe Romeo and Juliet's meeting and courtship.

10. Describe Iago's revenge against Othello.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shakespeare's stories often involve a divide between the town - with its merchants and political squabbles - and the country, a setting of ease and merriment. Citing specific stories from the text, discuss in an essay how Shakespeare uses this divide in his stories. What can occur in the country that cannot in the town? How are interactions different? Why do people choose to - or are forced to - leave the city? Do comedies or tragedies use this device more often?

Essay Topic 2

In many of his stories, Shakespeare juxtaposes two individuals who are close either as siblings or dear friends. He juxtaposes them through their actions, which reveal character. Write an essay about three of the stories in the collection in which pairs of characters are juxtaposed. What actions does Shakespeare use to juxtapose these characters? What is revealed through this juxtaposition? Do the characters become more or less similar as the story continues?

Essay Topic 3

Shakespeare's comedies are driven often by a sense of confusion and mistaken identity. People are not who they appear to be. In an essay, compare three comedies that make frequent use of mistaken identity to drive the plot. Is the confusion manufactured or accidental? Does it cause pain to anyone involved? How is it resolved, and are all the mysteries solved?

Part 1) Much Ado About Nothing

Part 2) Comedy of Errors

Part 3) Twelfth Night

(see the answer keys)

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