View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Delio pledge to Antonio before he departs for abroad?

2. The Duchess and Antonio decide to get married because:

3. Which words best describes the Cardinal's reaction to the news?

4. What does Delio tell Antonio about Ferdinand's anger over his sister's situation?

5. When Delio and Julia are talking about a potential arrangement, someone walks in and interrupts. What does this person announce?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't anyone intervene with Ferdinand and the Cardinal's plans to punish the Duchess?

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

3. Why are there so many rumors flying around the palace in Act 2, Scene 2?

4. What reasons does Antonio have to be suspicious of Bosola?

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

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

7. Why is the Cardinal not more admired by the people who work for him?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think the Cardinal and Ferdinand forbid the Duchess from getting married again? What were their motivations? Why do you think they refused to change their minds as the play went on?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 748 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample