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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. In the first vignette, who murders Desdemona?

2. Where do Romeo and Juliet awaken?

3. What does the Chorus do before exiting?

4. About what does Constance wonder?

5. Who mourns a death in the second vignette?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is the function of The Chorus?

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

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

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

8. 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?

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

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

An in-depth understanding of GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA partly hinges on understanding the corresponding characters from Shakespeare's plays Romeo and Juliet and Othello. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-organized essay using detailed examples from the text and your research to support your statements.

1. Compare and contrast the character of Desdemona from the plays GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA by MacDonald and OTHELLO by Shakespeare. Add a concluding paragraph as to which character from the plays is more interesting and has more depth.

2. Compare and contrast the character of Juliet from the plays GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA by MacDonald and ROMEO AND JULIET by Shakespeare. Add a concluding paragraph as to which character from the plays is more interesting and has more depth.

3. Compare and contrast the character of Romeo from the plays GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA by MacDonald and ROMEO AND JULIET by Shakespeare. Add a concluding paragraph as to which character from the plays is more interesting and has more depth.

Essay Topic 3

The overarching theme of GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA is said by some critics to be that of the ideas of feminism. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Define feminism yourself and then look it up in a dictionary and note the definition. How closely do the two definitions coincide? Is there anything about the "official" definition that surprises you? That you disagree with?

2. Trace the theme of feminism throughout the play, citing examples of the theme of feminism and whether or not the portrayal is harmonious with the definition of feminism you created in question one.

3. Do you think the author had a feminist agenda in writing this play? Why? Did the feminist element appeal to you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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