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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 does Constance do with a cigarette butt she sees on the floor?

2. What does Juliet want first?

3. When the two women embrace, what does Constance feel?

4. What is Romeo's response?

5. What do Desdemona and Juliet say about themselves?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the purpose of this brief scene (Act 3, Scene 3) seem to be?

2. Who does Desdemona spot and what does she do?

3. What is Juliet's response to learning of Constance's true gender?

4. How does the author of this play satirize the real Romeo and Juliet fight scene?

5. How many ways has Juliet considered or attempted suicide in this scene? Why do you think this is so?

6. Why does Constance pounce on a Servant walking by?

7. What is humorous about the ghost's appearance?

8. What is significant about several objects that appear in Constance's office in the "real" world and also in the fantasy world of Verona and Cyprus?

9. What are Tybalt's last actions before he is no longer seen?

10. Describe what happens when Desdemona and Juliet arrive at the crypt and stand near Constance.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 3, Scene 1, Constance delivers a monologue, which is a dramatic devise. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. What is a monologue? Why would a playwright have a character deliver a monologue? Do you think monologues keep the audience attention as well as dialogue?

2. How many monologues are there in GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA? What is the purpose of two of those monologues? Are they effective?

3. If you were going to rewrite one of the longer monologues in GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA into dialogue, would you be able to impart as much information as in a monologue? Give an example of a monologue and what information in the monologue would be difficult to reveal in dialogue.

Essay Topic 2

In Act 1, Scene 1, a love triangle among Constance, Professor Night, and Ramona is revealed, which in and of itself serves more to foreshadow the love triangle in future acts among Constance, Romeo, and Juliet. 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. Compare and contrast the love triangles that exist in the play GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA.

2. Research and discuss two or three famous love triangles (for example: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Eddie Fisher or Lady Diana, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles). Include why you think love triangles develop, whether they are harmful to the participants and if they ever work out well.

3. Answer the following in an essay: Could you ever see yourself caught in a love triangle? How would you respond if that did happen to you? Do you think a mutually-agreed-upon love triangle can work? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Define gender--first write your own definition and then find one from a respected dictionary. Are the two definitions the same? Similar? Very different? Give examples of "gender bending" in our culture of the 21st century. Does "gender bending" enhance or undermine our culture?

2. How is gender addressed in the play GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA? How does MacDonald "play" with issues of gender? What do you think is her purpose (or agenda) in doing so? Is she successful?

3. Who in the play do you think most successfully bends gender? Why? Cite specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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