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. Who is climbing Constance's balcony?

2. Where does Tybalt take Constance?

3. Who interrupts the swordplay between Constance and Tybalt?

4. What interrupts Tybalt's actions towards Constance?

5. What does Constance think of both women?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the purpose of this brief scene (Act 3, Scene 3) seem to be?

2. The ideal of females, especially upper-class females during the time of the setting of Romeo and Juliet is that woman know nothing about sex and are virginal until marriage and then "endure" their husband's needs. Does Juliet seem to fit this description?

3. How does the author of this play satirize the real Romeo and Juliet fight scene?

4. How is it again intimated that Constance is playing the role of the Fool?

5. What is the irony of the scene where Juliet stands beneath Constance's balcony and woos her?

6. There are two different actions by characters that strongly suggest a theme of homosexuality; what are those actions? Do you think either of the characters are actually homosexual?

7. Upon what deal do Juliet and Constance agree?

8. How does cross dressing become a theme in this sexually-loaded scene?

9. What is significant about several objects that appear in Constance's office in the "real" world and also in the fantasy world of Verona and Cyprus?

10. What reason do Juliet and Desdemona give for being flat characters? Do you agree with the two women's assessment?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,312 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample