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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 Ferdinand tell the Duchess she must do if she is to keep her husband alive?

2. What do Antonio and the Duchess tease Cariola about when Act 3, Scene 2 opens?

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

4. What prized possession does Antonio entrust with Delio?

5. What causes Antonio to be suspicious of Bosola?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Cardinal's reaction to the news about his sister's baby show about his personality?

2. After she is strangled, the Duchess regains consciousness for a few brief moments. What does Bosola tell her during that time, and why?

3. How does Antonio react to the news that the Duchess has had a baby?

4. Does the Duchess trust Bosola in Act 2, Scene 1 or not?

5. What can a reader learn about Antonio in just the first scene?

6. Bosola questions Ferdinand about Ferdinand's treatment of the Duchess in Act 4. What does Bosola request?

7. Did Delio have a good reason to be worried that Antonio had been betrayed? Why or why not?

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

9. Why did Bosola tell the Duchess's brothers about her baby being born?

10. What does the Cardinal take violently from the Duchess? What does this tell us of his intentions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Religion is used throughout the play as a cover for hidden motives and secret plans. What message do you think Webster was trying to convey about religion at the time? Use 3 examples from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

What function does the echo serve in Act 5, Scene 3 (when Antonio and Delio are talking about Antonio's plans to confront the Cardinal about the Duchess's murder)? Describe 3 things Webster is able to convey to the audience by using this particular literary device. What other literary devices could be used to convey a similar message?

Essay Topic 3

Bosola makes a lot of choices in the play that have very serious consequences. Write an alternate ending, of at least 4 paragraphs, of what would have happened if (pick one):

1) Bosola hadn't notified the Duchess's brothers when her first baby was born.

2) Bosola had confessed to the Duchess that he was spying on her at her brothers' request.

3) Bosola hadn't accidentally stabbed Antonio in the fog.

(see the answer keys)

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