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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. Which two characters speak of Angelique's "ordained" meeting?

2. What kind of mixture does Mr. Purgon say he prepared for Argan?

3. Who is Mr. Diaforus?

4. What does Argan accuses Mr. Purgon of?

5. What does Argan tell Angelique she cannot do until the wedding ceremony?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the dilemma caused by the doctor's proposed severe treatment of losing an arm and an eye?

2. How do Beralde and the players manage to convince Argan that the ceremony to make him a doctor is valid?

3. How does Toinette manage to convince Argan that she is two people?

4. How does Argan's action of talking to himself further demonstrate his obsession with his illnesses?

5. How does irony come into play with Beralde and Toinette's suggestion that Argan become a doctor himself?

6. Why did Argan mysteriously leave the room for the second time in the play?

7. Beline appears to have no interest in Argan's will. What clues are given demonstrating this might not be true?

8. How does the transitional scene, after Mr. Fleurant leaves, further inform Argan's hypochondria?

9. How does Angelique's initial reaction to her father's death show her true feelings?

10. How does Toinette, as the doctor, use flattery to aid in the deception in Act 3, Scene 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does desire and obsession cloud the ability to see the truth? What examples in the play demonstrate a desire that clouds someone's judgment or encourages them to act a certain way?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss whether or not it is ethical for a doctor to treat a patient that is not actually ill. If the outcome of the treatment is positive, does the doctor still have an obligation to be truthful? What are the moral implications of Dr. Purgon and Thomas Diaforus and his father treating Argan?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Beralde so dismissive of the medical profession? Is his attitude influenced by his brothers obsession? Is Beralde or Argan more indicative of Moliere's opinion on the medical profession?

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