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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. Which of the following does Ferdinand propose be done to the subject of the news?

2. What response does Antonio give to Bosola about Bosola's excuse for being out of his room?

3. When the Cardinal and Ferdinand are speaking in Act 2, Scene 5, where does their conversation take place?

4. Which word best describes Ferdinand's reaction the news?

5. What first causes Bosola to be suspicious of Antonio?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Cardinal gain by becoming a soldier and resigning from the church?

2. Can Antonio's nosebleed can be seen as an omen? Why or why not?

3. What does the fact that the Cardinal has a mistress show about his character?

4. What does Bosola tell a servant to do with Antonio's body? Why might he have given these instructions?

5. What unique literary device does Webster use to convey what is happening when the Cardinal resigns?

6. If Delio, Antonio's closest friend, is working closely with Ferdinand, has he betrayed Antonio and the Duchess?

7. Delio and Julia ask for the same piece of property. What is Pescara's reason for giving the property to Julia?

8. Describe what the reader first knows about the Duchess.

9. How much time has passed between Act 1 and Act 2, and how is the reader made to understand how much time has passed?

10. Once Ferdinand has descended into madness, the Cardinal makes up a lie about why Ferdinand has gone mad. Why does he do this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What literary devices does the author use to convey things about the characters within the first few scenes of the play? Thinking about the way Webster uses characters, foreshadowing, and dialogue, pick 3 characters, and describe how these devices help the reader know more about the characters and what is going to happen later in the play.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the play, some characters are (1) admired but not respected, (2) respected but not admired, and (3) admired and respected. Choose one character for each description, and state who admires and/or respects them and why.

Essay Topic 3

Antonio often acts on information given to him by others, and follows the instructions of other people. Is this wise on his part? Why or why not? Use at least 3 examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 780 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample