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. How does the character enter the office?

2. What does the Chorus call the Gustav Manuscript?

3. How does Desdemona respond to learning of Constance's nickname?

4. What does the person who mourns do?

5. What does Romeo want to take with him?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What mistake does Romeo make, and then what does Constance do?

3. What does the Chorus do after delivering the monologue?

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

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

6. What is the function of The Chorus?

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

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

9. 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?

10. Describe the scene between Juliet and her nurse--do you think the nurse is wise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of actions and objects that represent something else, i.e., they are symbolic. . Choose one of the following questions and write a well-organized essay using detailed examples from the text, your research and personal experience to support your statements:

1. One of the most overtly symbolic actions is when Romeo and Juliet pull the turtle in half in Act 3, Scene 2. What are a couple possible things this action symbolizes? Is this symbolic action (the pulling in half of a live animal) "over the top?" Could this symbolic action have been represented in a less gruesome way, or would that have diminished the impact of the action?

2. Find three other symbols or symbolic actions and give a brief account of them and what they represent. (for example: the diamond necklace Othello gives Constance or the gold pen at the end of the drama).

3. Why do writers use symbols or symbolic actions? How does it add to the depth or coherence of a piece of literature? Give some examples of symbols in a piece of literature or film and explain what they mean to you and if they are effective for conveying meaning.

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

One dramatic technique that opens and closes GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA is that of the Chorus. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Research the use of the Chorus both in Greek plays and Shakespeare's plays and compare the two uses.

2. Compare the use of the Chorus in GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA with how it is used in both Shakespeare's and Greek plays.

3. Do you think the Chorus adds or detracts from the play as a whole? Explain with examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,224 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample