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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 the person have that Constance see?

2. What does Constance pin to the ground?

3. Who is unsuccessfully disguised in a mouse mask?

4. With whom is Constance awestruck?

5. How is Romeo dressed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Desdemona's response to Romeo revelation that he is a man? Do you think the Desdemona of Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, would have said something like this?

2. Describe what happens when Desdemona and Juliet arrive at the crypt and stand near Constance.

3. What does Constance learn about the scrolls and then decide to do?

4. Who does Desdemona spot and what does she do?

5. How is the ghost's appearance in the boneyard typical of Shakespearean tragedy?

6. What is humorous about the ghost's appearance?

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

8. For whom is Constance searching at the beginning of Act 3, Scene 3 and why is this ironic?

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Another figurative "alchemical process" takes place as Constance attempts to turn Shakespearean tragedies into farcical comedies. 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. Define tragedy and comedy as it relates to the genre of drama. What are their similarities and differences? Do tragedies have a different purpose from comedies? What? Do you prefer to watch a tragedy or comedy? Explain why.

2. Where does Constance first mention the possibility of the tragedies becoming comedies? Do you as a reader think she is right? Why would she want to change the nature of the plays? Do you think Othello and Romeo and Juliet are more interesting as tragedies or comedies? Why?

3. What is the means that Constance thinks will change the tragedies of ROMEO AND JULIET and OTHELLO into a comedy? Do you think she is successful in her attempt? Give specific examples. Does Constance herself think she is successful? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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