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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. Where did the bag and its contents come from?

2. What do the duelists' parents find?

3. How does the vice-admiral respond to the governor's confidence?

4. What is the name of the prostitute?

5. Who does Barabas enlist to retrieve his money from its hiding place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Every nun at the nunnery died. How are some ways one might have lived?

2. If you were Ferneze, would you have told Del Bosca about Barabas's plan to kill Calymath?

3. Why does Ferneze tell Calymath of Barabas's plan to kill Calymath?

4. In Act 1, Scene 1, identify and give examples of Barabas's most outstanding characteristic.

5. What does the prologue reveal about Marlowe's ability as a playwright?

6. What how does Barabas react when the friars confront him about the deaths of Mathias and Lodowick?

7. Do you believe Bellamira was interested in Ithamore as a customer or as a man?

8. Why is Ferneze happy to learn that the Spanish navy has fought with and weakened the Turkish ships?

9. What might Mathias and Lodowick have done to prevent the duel?

10. What is Abigail's reaction to her betrothal to Lodowick?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think Abigail's agreement to lie for her father will begin her corruption? Why or why not? Support your answer from the text of the play.

Essay Topic 2

Intricate planning has been a theme in this play. Choose three plans from any scene (only one of Barabas's plans) and tell how they were necessary to advance the story. Consider these points when writing:

1. The roles of the characters involved.

2. The previous action that invoked the plan.

3. How the plan's outcome advanced the story.

Essay Topic 3

Abigail knew of her father's avarice and murderous nature. Write an essay about whether or not Abigail should have revealed Barabas's murders immediately and the consequences if she had. Why did Marlowe have Abigail keep silent until just before she dies?

(see the answer keys)

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