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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. When Desdemona and Constance talk, what happens?

2. What is Constance called at the university?

3. Who does Desdemona ask to follow her?

4. What does Othello realize?

5. Who delivers a monologue?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Constance successful in changing OTHELLO from a tragedy and what might this mean for the Gustav Manuscript?

2. How do Othello and Desdemona first react to Constance?

3. After Constance is interrupted a second time, she starts to read Romeo and Juliet; what happens as she reads?

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

5. What happens when Iago and Othella reenact their fight scene?

6. What is the function of The Chorus?

7. What is the effect of Nurse's blank verse musings?

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

9. 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?

10. What happens in the scene with the pet turtle and how is this symbolic of Romeo and Juliet's relationship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 3, Scene 6, the conversation between Constance and the ghost in the boneyard seems like two ships that pass in the night. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Explain the conversation between Constance and the ghost in the boneyard. What is satirical about it? Do you find it ironic? How so? Give specific examples.

2. What is a boneyard? What do you think is the significance of Constance having to pass through a boneyard to find the answer to her quest? Is the boneyard symbolic of something to Constance (whether she knows it or not)?

3. What is humorous about the ghost's appearance? Do you think this is a conscious effort at comic relief? What is comic relief? Do you see it appearing in other conversations with the ghost or the Chorus?

Essay Topic 2

In Act 4, Scene 4, Tybalt watches on in disgust while both Romeo and Juliet throw themselves at Constance, whom both believe at this point to be a boy. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. What do you think is the reason for Tybalt's disgust at the behavior of Romeo and Juliet? There are several possible reasons, so read this scene very carefully as well as Act 3, Scene 1 where Tybalt and Romeo first encounter Constance. Substantiate your stance with specific details from the text.

2. What do you think is the reason for the competition between Romeo and Juliet? Is it truly just because they are both smitten with Constance or is it an indication of underlying problems in their relationship which is just manifesting in this competition for Constance's affection? Elaborate on your ideas using specific examples from the text.

3. Juliet is just turning fourteen and Romeo is not much older than she. Is it reasonable to expect them to behave differently than they do? Which Romeo and Juliet are more believable--the two depicted in Shakespeare's play or the two depicted in Goodnight Desdemona?

Essay Topic 3

Homosexuality is a prominent theme in the Scenes that take place in Verona. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Do you believe any of the characters in this play are actually homosexual? Who? Why do you believe so? If not, why not? Support your statements with specific detail from the text.

2. Do you believe this play is homophobic or accepting of homosexuality? Explain your statements with specific examples.

3. Would it make any difference as to how you interpret the homosexual theme if you knew that the author is a publicly self-proclaimed lesbian? How would that change the way you interpreted the homosexual overtones?

(see the answer keys)

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