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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 his happened to Mortimer Senior in Scotland?

2. At the beginning of Scene 3, how does Edward direct his and and Gaveston's departure?

3. What entreaty does Mortimer Junior make to Edward when they enter in Scene 1?

4. What city does Gaveston declare that he loves as he would Elysium?

5. What does Mortimer Junior threaten to do if Gaveston return to England?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Isabella distraught in Scene 2?

2. Describe the private pleading Mortimer Junior and Lancaster make to Edward.

3. Who orders Kent's execution and how?

4. How does Isabella's position on Gavestone change during her soliloquy?

5. What is Warwick's plan at the end of Scene 5?

6. How does Gaveston die?

7. What expectation does Edward have after giving up his crown?

8. How does Isabella greet the victory of Scene 5?

9. Describe Lightborn.

10. Describe Edward and Gaveston's parting in Scene 4.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Edward II seems at times to be a man with a kingdom thrust upon him. He does not want, initially, to concern himself with the acts of kinship. Write an essay on Edward's relationship with governance in three parts:

Part 1) Gaveston is Edward's dear partner, but he represents something more essential in Edward's personality. How is Gaveston indicative of Edward's desire not to be a leader? How does he represent Edward's egoism?

Part 2) Describe the larger political events that swirl around Edward as he focuses on his personal happiness. What happens with France and Scotland? How do the nobles react? What comments does Edward make regarding his attitude toward his realm?

Part 3) At the end of Edward II, the titular character is transformed. How does loss render Edward a new outlook on the realities of kinship? Whatis his deepest relationship after Gaveston and Spencer Junior are gone?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the noble's as a group. What does Marlowe intend to say about the nobility of this time? Are they unified for a single purpose, or is each separately focused on personal advancement? At which points over the course of the narrative do individual nobles break from the collective will of the group? Which nobles are they, and why does each choose to break ranks? What is Marlowe saying about the way that history is made by individual men?

Essay Topic 3

Edward III, the young prince of Marlowe's play, is portrayed as the closest thing to a hope for the future of England. Write an essay about this supporting but imperative character, his initial hesitancy to take power and his eventual moral rectitude int he final moments of the play. In the essay focus on the plot points: his journey to France with Isabella, his feeble defense of Kent, and his confrontation with Mortimer and his mother. How do these points demonstrate a strong character journey?

(see the answer keys)

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