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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 pleased Ben Jonson about Shakespeare's "Henry VIII"?

2. How does Bloom characterize the match between Helena and Bertram in "All's Well That Ends Well"?

3. What does critic Marc Shell say Shakespeare is criticizing in Angelo's strict enforcement of law in 'Measure for Measure'?

4. How does Bloom characterize the end of "Measure for Measure"?

5. Why was Caliban suffering, according to critic Browning?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Bloom say "Winter's Tale" sits in Shakespeare's folio?

2. How does Bloom characterize the play "Pericles"?

3. How does Bloom say "Henry V" has been used in its history?

4. What parallel does Bloom describe between characters Henry V and Alexander the Great?

5. What does Bloom say makes "Hamlet" so fascinating?

6. What is the moral of "Measure for Measure", in Bloom's account?

7. What does Bloom say is the flaw of "Coriolanus"?

8. What interpretation does Bloom say he favors for Caliban in "The Tempest"?

9. What is Bloom's estimation of "Henry VIII"?

10. What insight does Bloom say "All's Well That Ends Well" gives us into marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a character sketch of the Nietzsche whom Bloom describes as a presence in Shakespeare's plays. How does Bloom delineate Nietzsche's philosophy and his character?

Essay Topic 2

In many of his other works of criticism, Bloom describes his affinity for the Gnostic idea that there is one eternal, living moment, and we enter into it and depart from it, but the flame itself stays alive, transcendent and human. Where do you think the flame that is burning in Shakespeare is burning today?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of love in Shakespeare's plays? How does Bloom describe the benefits and consequences of love?

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