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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. What does Othello offer Constance?

2. What does Juliet do when Nurse reminds her of the next day?

3. Upon whom does Constance wish ill?

4. Who does Constance resent playing?

5. What will heal Constance's mind?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the function of The Chorus?

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

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

5. 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?

6. How does the opening scene of Act 3, Scene 2 demonstrates the change in Romeo and Juliet's relationship?

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

8. How does Othello reward Constance and how does his reward symbolically represent Constance's real life?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA belongs to the genre of drama. 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 definition of drama? Write out your definition and then look up the definition in a literary dictionary. How similar are the two definitions?

2. Drama is written with the intention that it will be performed. How do you think this influences the manner in which the plot unfolds, the dialogue, the set complexity, the number of characters, and the length?

3. Compare GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA to a short story. What are the differences? The similarities? Which do you enjoy reading the most?

Essay Topic 3

In Act 3, Scene 4, Romeo and Juliet, as well as Constance and other introduced characters are attending a masked ball. Masked balls used to be quite common in past centuries but have seem to fallen by the wayside in the 21st century, excepting perhaps Halloween. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Why do you think masked balls used to be so common? What do you think is the purpose of a masked ball--could it have had underlying socio-cultural reasons?

2. Why do you think Juliet's father would be putting on a masked ball to celebrate his daughter's wedding? Do you think this will help minimize fights between the feuding families?

3. Do you think you would enjoy a masked ball? Why or why not? What would you like about it? What would you dislike about it?

(see the answer keys)

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