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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. Bloom describes a Nietzschean tendency toward what, in "Twelfth Night"?

2. Who does Proteus drive into exile?

3. How does Bloom characterize the character of Richard III?

4. How does Bloom characterize the marriage between Beatrice and Benedick?

5. How does Bloom characterize "Richard III"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What personality development does Bloom describe in "Taming of the Shrew"?

2. How does Bloom defend "Midsummer Night's Dream" from criticism?

3. What does Bloom say is the main action of "Two Gentlemen of Verona"?

4. How does Bloom characterize the character Shylock?

5. What is the cause of the comedy in "Love's Labor's Lost", according to Bloom?

6. Who are the prominent critics Bloom cites as the most influential critics of Shakespeare?

7. What is Marlowe's influence on "Titus Andronicus"?

8. How does Bloom characterize Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus"?

9. What play does Bloom say influenced Shakespeare's "Henry VI"?

10. What is Bloom's estimation of "Two Gentlemen of Verona"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

Essay Topic 2

Write an evaluative review of "Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human". What is this book's place in culture? What are its uses? Who is its audience? What are its limitations?

Essay Topic 3

Is Shakespeare an everyman, whose talents are universal, or is he a unique individual whose gifts will never be repeated? Is he a type or a hero? How does Bloom describe him? How do you see him, as a result of reading this book?

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