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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 Rosine do after awhile of listening to the Count?

2. What does Rosine do when she hears Bartholo coming?

3. What has the Count recently found out about Rosine?

4. Why can Figaro easily gain access to Bartholo's house?

5. How does Rosine describe Figaro?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what does Bartholo accuse Figaro? How does he know about the relationship between Rosine and the Count? Will she be able to escape from the prison this man has put her in?

2. What connection do Rosine and the Count make with the audience after she finishes singing? How do they feel? Why do they feel this way?

3. How does Rosine react when she hears she is to be married? What does Figaro promise? Will he be able to keep his promise? Why or why not?

4. Where can the Count find Figaro after he is in his disguise? Why does Figaro give this much detail about his location?

5. How does the Count reveal he is feeling uncertain about the plan? About what is he uncertain? Does he make a good choice? Why or why not?

6. Why does the Count reveal his identity? How is her reaction? Why is she so easily able to change her feelings?

7. What happens as the Count comes in, disguised as a soldier and pretending to be drunk? What is he trying to do the Bartholo to distract him? Is he successful?

8. How does the Count feel about his position? Why does he feel this way? Will the Count succeed in what he wishes for?

9. What does the Count know about Rosine? How does Figaro correct the Count about his knowledge of this woman? How does knowledge help the play progress?

10. What is Figaro's plan? Why will the Count's disguise get him into the house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Figaro sarcastically remarks on Rosine's cleverness.

Part 1) What makes her clever?

Part 2) Why does Figaro make sarcastic remarks about Rosine?

Part 3) How might an audience respond to Figaro's various asides?

Essay Topic 2

The Count and Figaro know one another.

Part 1) How do they know one another?

Part 2) Why does Figaro offer his services to the Count?

Part 3) Why might the playwright have chosen a lowly barber and a prominent Count to be friends and cohorts?

Essay Topic 3

This play is an example of commedia dell'arte.

Part 1) What is commedia dell'arte?

Part 2) What aspects of this play prove it is a commedia?

Part 3) What forms of entertainment today could be considered commedia?

(see the answer keys)

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