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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. Where is the person lying dead in the second vignette?

2. What is the setting at the opening of this scene?

3. Of what does Desdemona say Constance is an archetype?

4. What does Othello offer Constance?

5. What does Othello make Iago do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Chorus appear and what is its first action?

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

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

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

5. 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?

6. What effect does Constance's dramatic appearance in the middle of the argument between Mercutio and Romeo?

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

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 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 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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Define gender--first write your own definition and then find one from a respected dictionary. Are the two definitions the same? Similar? Very different? Give examples of "gender bending" in our culture of the 21st century. Does "gender bending" enhance or undermine our culture?

2. How is gender addressed in the play GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA? How does MacDonald "play" with issues of gender? What do you think is her purpose (or agenda) in doing so? Is she successful?

3. Who in the play do you think most successfully bends gender? Why? Cite specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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