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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. Why does Constance think Romeo and Othello are not tragic figures?

2. Who repeats the prior rendition of the handkerchief scene?

3. What kind of cheese does Constance eat?

4. What does Romeo tell Juliet he is going to do?

5. What does Desdemona urge Constance to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the interaction between Constance and Professor Night and evaluate the interaction.

2. What is the content of Constance's monologue at the end of this scene? Do you think she is setting herself up as a fool intentionally or unintentionally?

3. How does Othello punish Iago and is the punishment fitting?

4. Why do you think Act 1 is titled "The Dumbshow"?

5. What happens in the third vignette of the Dumbshow?

6. Describe the interaction between Desdemona and Constance after Othello has dragged Iago off the stage.

7. Several times Constance bemoans the fact that there is no fool in either of Shakespeare's plays OTHELLO nor ROMEO AND JULIET. Who supplies the role of fool in this scene?

8. What happens to Constance at the end of this scene and what is her interpretation of it?

9. What idea does Constance develop in writing her dissertation at the opening of this scene?

10. What happens in the first vignette of the Dumbshow and from where do you think this scene is derived?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 2, Scene 2, Constance unwittingly inserts herself as the Wise Fool into the drama of Othello. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Define what is meant by the dramatic use of the Wise Fool. Give several examples that you learn from your research.

2. Describe how Constance fills the role of the fool in Act 2, Scene 2. Give specific examples.

2. Would you call her actions as that of a "wise" fool or just plain foolish? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The topic of alchemy both opens and closes GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. What is alchemy? When was it "invented" and who are some famous alchemists? Does any part of the old ideas of alchemy exist today?

2. What is the Philosopher's Stone? How is it used in the play? Do you see the Philosopher's Stone as a metaphor? For what? Give specific examples.

3. Alchemy has also been taken as a spiritual metaphor of changing base (corrupt) humanity into spiritual (incorruptible) beings. Do you think this idea is part of the alchemy in this play? Who is being changed? Why? Give specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

In Act 3, Scene 9, Constance becomes exasperated with both Desdemona and Juliet, calling them unreasonable and dimensionless and both women agree they are flawed. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. What is a flawed character? Is the trait different in a heroic character versus a villain? Does one assume a flaw in a villain but not necessarily in a hero?

2. How do you think Desdemona and Juliet are flawed characters? Do their flaws make them less "flat"? Are there flaws serious enough to keep them from being defined as heroines?

3. Do you think the flaws in the male characters are similar or different from those in Desdemona and Juliet? Explain using specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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