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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 often speaks for Jacopo?

2. What color are Elisabetta's rooms draped in?

3. What does Lucrezia manage to do to convince Alfonso she really is sorry for angering him?

4. What can Lucrezia not stop herself from doing when Alfonso chides her during the storm?

5. What color are the reins on Lucrezia's new animal?

Short Essay Questions

1. What comment does Alfonso make about Lucrezia's portrait that startles her and the painters?

2. Who does Emilia hear has ordered the Duke's mother's exile?

3. What does Elisabetta want Lucrezia to keep a secret from Alfonso?

4. What does Lucrezia witness Baldassare do in Part III that really disturbs her?

5. What is Nunciata like to Lucrezia?

6. Why does Alfonso get so angry at Lucrezia in Part III?

7. What is Elisabetta like to Lucrezia?

8. How does Lucrezia feel about posing for a portrait?

9. What does Emilia tell Lucrezia about their past connection?

10. What do Lucrezia and Jacopo have in common?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do O'Farrell's descriptions of some of the medical advice, treatments, and conventions of Lucrezia's day inform the reader about the daily lives and struggles of those who lived in that time period? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

In what ways and in what contexts does Lucrezia exhibit bravery and cunning throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think the author chose to write this novel in the "close third person"? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 435 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample