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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 particular aspect did the public want in their plays during Will’s day?

2. Will’s involvement in what group is discussed in Chapter 5?

3. Gloves during this time were made from which material?

4. What was Will licensed for during the time that he lived in Stratford?

5. What play did Will likely see upon his arrival in London?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who was Will’s mother? What was her family background?

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

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

5. Who was Edmund Campion? What faith was he devoted to?

6. Who was Sir Thomas Lucy? What was Will’s relationship with him?

7. Describe the school environment in which Will was educated. What things were unique about his education?

8. Did Will ever refer to Anne in his writings? Why or why not?

9. Discuss the possible reason for Will’s hasty marriage and identify which of Will’s plays reflects the same urgency between a male and female character.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Will’s personality. What was he like in his younger years? Did his personality change as he got older? Did he make decisions in his latter years that he would not have made earlier in life? In your opinion, what about his personality contributed to his success as a playwright?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Will’s relationship with the Earl of Southampton. Who was the Earl? How did Will meet him? Why was the Earl important to Will’s career? What personal relationship, if any, did Will have with the Earl? Give one specific example illustrating your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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