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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. In what does Constance intervene?

2. For what does Juliet yearn?

3. How does Constance respond to Romeo's request?

4. How does Constance drink her beer?

5. What does the person who delivers the monologue do before speaking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What idea does Constance develop in writing her dissertation at the opening of this scene?

2. How does the opening scene of Act 3, Scene 2 demonstrates the change in Romeo and Juliet's relationship?

3. Why do you think Act 1 is titled "The Dumbshow"?

4. What happens in the scene with the pet turtle and how is this symbolic of Romeo and Juliet's relationship?

5. How do Othello and Desdemona first react to Constance?

6. What is the function of The Chorus?

7. What happens in the third vignette of the Dumbshow?

8. What happens as Constance is reading OTHELLO from her complete works of Shakespeare?

9. What does the Chorus do after delivering the monologue?

10. How does Othello reward Constance and how does his reward symbolically represent Constance's real life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 2, Scene 1, Desdemona urges Constance to study violence and become a warrior. Constance confides that she is furtively called 'the mouse' at the university; Desdemona decries the appellation as entirely unfair and urges Constance to learn to kill. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-organized essay using detailed examples from the text, your research and personal experience to support your statements:

1. Desdemona as a fierce warrior is far different from the placid Desdemona of Shakespeare's OTHELLO, as it the idea of Constance as a warrior versus Constance as a "mouse." Which face of each of these 2 characters do you find more interesting? Explain. Would you prefer your daughter to be a mouse or a warrior? Why? Is there something in between the two extremes? What?

2. Until very recently, women were not allowed in combat units in the military. Do you think this was a good policy? Why or why not. Explain fully. Do you think women could pose a threat to their male comrades because of either their lesser physical strength or because of a male's instinct to protect women? Develop your ideas fully in conjunction with the first question.

3. Research and write a paper about a country that has women on the front lines of combat--for example, Sweden or Israel. What has been the effect of this policy on their military? Has it been a successful integration? What problems?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of authorship is an obvious theme in the play GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-organized essay using detailed examples from the text, your research and personal experience to support your statements.

1. What is the issue of authorship in the play? Give examples to illustrate your statements. Is this issue resolved?

2. Professor Night thanks Constance for her ghost writing much of his academic publications and allowing him to take credit for her contributions. Do you think this is honest on the Professor's part? Do you think he would be out of a job if his taking advantage of Constance were revealed? How often do you think Professors take credit for work done by their research assistants? Is this fair, considering the Professor is the one taking the time to supervise a graduate student? Would you be willing to ghost write for someone else and not receive credit for your work? What if you were well paid for doing so--would that make a difference?

3. Authorship is a broader issue in the play as several characters in a sense re-write their lives--particularly Desdemona, Juliet, and Constance. How do you think you author your own life? Are you writing your story the way you want it to play out? Can you change your story? Would you?

Essay Topic 3

In Act 2, Scene 2, Constance unwittingly inserts herself as the Wise Fool into the drama of Othello. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Define what is meant by the dramatic use of the Wise Fool. Give several examples that you learn from your research.

2. Describe how Constance fills the role of the fool in Act 2, Scene 2. Give specific examples.

2. Would you call her actions as that of a "wise" fool or just plain foolish? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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