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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 is the setting of Scene 3 in Act II?

2. What must Faust descend through to read the location given by the prophetess in Act II?

3. What are the names of the two philosophers that the homunculus comes upon in Scene 3 of Act II?

4. Which group of people does Baccalaureus feel should be shot?

5. What is the setting in the beginning of Act II?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice does Mephistopheles give to the young page who is having trouble attracting women in Act I?

2. Describe Baccalaureus's attitude towards learning and academic achievement.

3. In the philosophical debate featured in Scene 3 of Act II, what does Anaxagoras believe is the origin and basis of nature and matter?

4. What are the Mothers that Faust visits in Scene 5?

5. Why does the homunculus take on the form of water at the end of Act II?

6. Explain the circumstances at the end of Scene 7 of Act I, that lead to Faust being found unconscious on the floor.

7. Why is Faust seeking Helen in Act II?

8. How does Mephistopheles become the new fool to the emperor?

9. Why is Mephistopheles upset that Faust tells the emperor he can conjure the spirits of Helen and Paris?

10. Why does Mephistopheles have a hard time fitting in on ancient classical soil?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One theme that is accentuated by Goethe throughout Faust, but particularly in the masquerade carnival of Act I, is that of the establishment of social classes and the stereotypes that exist within them. Discuss at least three instances where this theme is displayed and comment on what societal commentary Goethe may be making by using this theme.

Essay Topic 2

What relationship between the classical and the modern does Goethe portray when he shifts from utilizing formal elements of Greek tragedy in his writing style of Act 2 and 3 and then utilizes more modern literary devices to describe the battle in Act 4. Using specific textual evidence discuss how Goethe draws attention to the juxtaposition of these two literary traditions.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout Faust Part II, Goethe employs differing use of meter and rhyme structure as formal elements of the novel. Identify at least two separate meters and rhyme structures used and discuss why Goethe shifted from one to the other in the novel.

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