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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 did Will go after leaving the county where he met Campion?

2. Which of Will’s plays does NOT discuss loss of social status?

3. Will attended a school that was most likely for…

4. What object did Will finally obtain that was a status symbol for his family?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was Richard Field? Why was Will’s relationship with him important?

2. Why would John Shakespeare’s fall into disrepute have been bothersome to Will?

3. What was the character of John Shakespeare? Was he an upstanding citizen?

4. What was another way that Will would have been exposed to theater as a young child?

5. Why would Will’s continued relationship with Edmund Campion have been a hindrance for his career?

6. In what language was Will’s education conducted? Was this common?

7. Describe the community in which Will grew up. Was it in a rural area? Was it in a big city?

8. Describe the careers, both legal and illegal, of John Shakespeare.

9. What are some possible reasons for Will’s leaving Stratford and going to London?

10. Describe the prevalent attitude of theater owners during this time. What was their primary concern?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define some main themes of Will’s works. What are two main themes that are consistently seen throughout Will’s theatrical works? Why, in your opinion, does he choose each of these themes? What might have influenced him in selecting these themes? List a play that exemplifies each of the themes you have chosen to discuss.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Will’s marriage to Anne Hathaway. What were the circumstances of their meeting and urgent marriage? Did Will appear to have a happy marriage? Why or why not? Give an example from his early life and one from his later life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the influential group of playwrights that lived in London during Will’s day. What were the names of two of the members of this group? What characteristics did these men exhibit? Did Will fit in with this group? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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