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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. When Delio and Julia are talking about a potential arrangement between themsevles, who walks in and interrupts?

2. Why did Bosola think that he had proven that the Duchess was pregnant?

3. Why does the Old Lady return to the scene after the Duchess has eaten Bosola's fruit?

4. What rumor about Antonio and the Duchess is circulating among the nobility?

5. The Duchess hires Bosola as:

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Duchess think of her brothers at the beginning of the play?

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

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

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

5. Why does Julia leaves so quickly after hearing that Ferdinand has been upset by a letter?

6. Should Antonio and the Duchess have separated? Why or why not?

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

8. What does the Duchess think about her brothers' declaration that she should not marry? What does she do after they leave?

9. After witnessing the distribution of his own stolen land, Antonio decides to confront the Cardinal. Before he leaves, Delio makes a comment about his loyalty to Antonio. What does Delio say?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think that family relationships or friendships prove stronger in this play? Keep in mind that a "strong" relationship can also mean a bad or negative one. Use 3 specific examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think we never learn the Duchess's name in the play? What do you think the author was trying to say by not giving her a name? How would the play have changed, or not have changed, if she had been given a name?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 798 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample