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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 is the song about that Polly sings for the thugs?

2. Who says, "But love is the finest thing in the world"?

3. Who tells Polly that Macheath has several women?

4. Which is NOT one of the soldier's names in the song Macheath and Brown sing at the feast?

5. What does Brown tell Polly about Macheath?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Polly go to Lucy's home in Act Three? Does she get what she comes for?

2. How does Brecht use multimedia in The Threepenny Opera? Why?

3. What is Lucy's relationship to Macheath?

4. What is the last song Macheath sings? What is it about?

5. What does Peachum tell Brown about the historical police captain? Why?

6. Where does Act Three, Scene Nine take place? Who, in addition to Macheath, is here?

7. Who is present in Act One Scene Two? What is the celebration?

8. What does Polly do with Macheath's profits? How does that affect the outcome of his fate in Act Three?

9. What happens in Act Three, Scene Eight that makes Polly begin crying? Who arrives to take her away?

10. Describe the story told in The Barbara Song. Who sings it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Brecht's use of "Irony" in The Threepenny Opera. What are the different forms of irony and how are each illustrated within the play?

Essay Topic 2

What is the major conflict in The Threepenny Opera? Define this conflict in both literal terms and symbolic or figurative terms. Where does the conflict arise? Which characters are in conflict? How?

Essay Topic 3

How is "Human Nature" portrayed in The Threepenny Opera? Who speaks (and/or sings) about human nature? Do you think this is Brecht's point of view as well? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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