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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In which of Will’s plays do characters get married because of an unhealthy obsession?
(a) Midsummer Night's Dream
(b) Hamlet
(c) Othello
(d) Macbeth

2. What characteristic of Campion might have hindered Will’s future work in theater?
(a) His generosity
(b) His Catholicism
(c) His wealth
(d) His thievery

3. What position did Will’s father, John, hold in Stratford?
(a) Priest
(b) Mayor
(c) Councilman
(d) Lawyer

4. Which play is presented in Chapter 5 as portraying Will’s empathy with citizens of the lower classes?
(a) Henry VI
(b) Romeo and Juliet
(c) Henry IV
(d) King Lear

5. What was Will licensed for during the time that he lived in Stratford?
(a) Singing
(b) Acting
(c) Nothing
(d) Dancing

6. What eventually happened to Edmund Campion?
(a) He was executed
(b) He died of old age
(c) He was given a large sum of money
(d) He was made mayor

7. How did Will feel about a future career in theater?
(a) He did not like the idea of it at all
(b) He liked the idea of it very much
(c) He did not care
(d) He felt torn between theater and teaching

8. What did Will see upon entering his new home city that made him afraid?
(a) People dying from the plague
(b) Heads of executed men impaled on spears
(c) An army of soldiers coming out to meet him
(d) The crumbling defenses of the city

9. Which is a likely description of Will’s marriage?
(a) Apathetic
(b) Unhappy and unfulfilled
(c) Happy and fulfilled
(d) Blissful

10. What particular aspect did the public want in their plays during Will’s day?
(a) Romance
(b) Violence
(c) Human dignity
(d) Honesty

11. What activity did Will try to avoid while living in London?
(a) Drinking alcohol
(b) Writing incriminating documents signed with his name
(c) Writing any plays that would call attention to his illegal dealings
(d) Stealing money

12. Choose the phrase that most accurately describes Will’s wife.
(a) In poor health
(b) Unstable mentally
(c) Extremely mean
(d) Financially well-to-do

13. Why did “The Queen’s Men” supposedly need an additional actor?
(a) One of their members had been arrested
(b) One of their members had quit
(c) One of their members had gotten the plague
(d) One of their members had been killed

14. What trait is characteristic of all Will’s rural characters?
(a) Dignity
(b) Jealousy
(c) Bitterness
(d) Happiness in marriage

15. What illegal activity was John Shakespeare involved in?
(a) Whiskey brewing
(b) Spying
(c) Illicit wool dealing
(d) Deer poaching

Short Answer Questions

1. What is another aspect of Will’s early life that impacted his later theatrical career?

2. What was the result of Will’s threatened punishment for his illegal activity?

3. Which early farcical play written by Will was likely influenced by his studies in school?

4. Why did Will try to avoid writing incriminating documents?

5. What was a possible hindrance for Will’s traveling to London at this time?

(see the answer keys)

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