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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which word best describes Ferdinand's reaction the news?
(a) Sadness
(b) Happiness
(c) Confusion
(d) Fury

2. What is the big news at the end of Act 2, Scene 2?
(a) That the Duchess found out Antonio was stealing from her.
(b) That Antonio and the Duchess are getting divorced.
(c) That Antonio and the Duchess have had a son.
(d) That Antonio and the Duchess have been found out.

3. At the beginning of the play, we learn that the Duchess:
(a) Is engaged to be married
(b) Is a young widow
(c) Is married with 3 children
(d) Is too old to ever get married

4. What does Ferdinand tell the Duchess she must do if she is to keep her husband alive?
(a) Divorce him.
(b) Lock him in a cell.
(c) Acknowledge him publicly as her husband.
(d) Go to confession at church.

5. What reason did Julia give her husband for coming to Rome?
(a) She wanted to get some new dresses in the city.
(b) For a relaxing vacation.
(c) Religious reasons
(d) To visit sick relatives.

Short Answer Questions

1. Ferdinand's behavior upon hearing the news foreshadows:

2. At the end of Act 2, Scene 3, who does the Duchess tell that she is secretly married to Antonio?

3. Before the play begins, the Cardinal and Bosola knew each other because:

4. When Delio and Julia are talking about a potential arrangement between themsevles, who walks in and interrupts?

5. What secret does Antonio tell Delio in Act 2, Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the Cardinal not more admired by the people who work for him?

2. If Delio, Antonio's closest friend, is working closely with Ferdinand, has he betrayed Antonio and the Duchess?

3. Does the Duchess trust Bosola in Act 2, Scene 1 or not?

4. What does the birth of the Duchess's son mean?

5. What reason does the Cardinal give for asking Pescara, Malateste, Roderigo, and Grisolan not to enter his brother's chambers? What is the real reason?

6. Bosola questions Ferdinand about Ferdinand's treatment of the Duchess in Act 4. What does Bosola request?

7. What does the Cardinal take violently from the Duchess? What does this tell us of his intentions?

8. Delio and Julia ask for the same piece of property. What is Pescara's reason for giving the property to Julia?

9. Describe what the reader first knows about the Duchess.

10. Who is the symbol of hope for the future at the conclusion of the play?

(see the answer keys)

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