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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. How does Antony kiss Cleopatra before departing for battle near Alexandria?

2. With what word does Enobarbus describe his revolt in comparison to Antony's nobility?

3. What sort of men does Antony lament his poor fortunes have corrupted?

4. What is an appropriate synonym for "appointment" as used in line 8 of Act 4, Scene 10?

5. What does Antony call the work of a soldier in war?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the news of Cleopatra's death affect Antony's actions?

2. Why does Cleopatra tell Mardian to inform Antony that she has died?

3. In what way is Antony's disposition towards the battle at Alexandria changed on the second day?

4. What does Antony mean by saying that his men have "shown all Hectors" and why is this significant?

5. What purpose does Act 4, Scene 3 serve, with its interlude of unnamed, minor characters?

6. How does Caesar gain an advantage by holding his land forces still?

7. How does Antony behave towards his servants before the battle at Alexandria?

8. What is indicated by Cleopatra's refusal to come down to Antony in Act 4, Scene 15?

9. What happens to Enobarbus after his speech in Act 4, Scene 9?

10. What is revealed about the Roman attitude towards death in Act 4, Scene 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The primary element to the vibrancy of any of Shakespeare's plays, particularly those that are historically based, is the richness of the characters' portrayal. As such, comprehending the roles of even the most minor characters can be crucial to appreciation of the play as a whole. In the case of Antony and Cleopatra, every character revolves around fidelity to some other, more powerful individual. Analyze in an insightful essay all of the characters who are fundamentally attached to Antony, excluding Enobarbus. What is common among the various characters attached to Antony? How does this reflect upon Antony himself? What sort of relationship is there between each character and Antony? Upon what is the relationship founded? Is there any sort of reciprocity present?

Essay Topic 2

A seldom explicitly mentioned theme throughout the play is the fidelity and infidelity of minor characters despite maltreatment and disregard for their more fundamental rights. Thoughtfully explicate this theme in a well-developed essay. How do the various minor characters demonstrate their fidelity and to whom? For what reasons do the characters evidently remain loyal? Contrariwise, which characters forsake their obligations to fidelity, and for what reasons are they motivated to do so? What do these various relationships of disparate levels of fidelity indicate about the fundamental human tendencies regarding loyalty?

Essay Topic 3

In the third act of the play, the fortunes of the two sides of the external conflict are reversed by the machinations of free will. Examine in a thoroughly-developed analytical essay this reversal of fortune. How had the fortunes of Antony and his companions been positively progressing throughout the first few acts of the play? In what way do they regress in the second half? How is this affected in the third act of the play? What particular actions, and of whom, are responsible for the inception of the downfall of the triumvir Antony and in what do they consist?

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