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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. Of what does Nat dream?

2. Whose voice sounds somewhat like Elizabethan English?

3. Why does Nat go to bed early?

4. Who offers to let Nat live with him?

5. How does Gil Warmun carry himself on stage?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nat increase his acting skills, in particular playing the character of Puck?

2. How does Nat respond when Shakespeare calls the group a family and what does Shakespeare do?

3. How is Nat different from the other apprentices and to what do the apprentices attribute the differences?

4. How do Arby and Gill have a small confrontation and what is the result?

5. How does Roper conspire to make Nat look bad?

6. Why does Arby kick one of the boys out of the company?

7. Where does Nat wake in the beginning of Chapter 4?

8. What does Nat learn about an upcoming visit from the Queen and what does he have to do regarding the news?

9. What does Arby forbid the boys to do and how does Nat react to Arby's guidance?

10. What happens with Nat in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character of Nat. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think he is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Shakespeare. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy? Is he portrayed in King of Shadows like you might imagine he was in real life? Why or why not.

3. Thoroughly discuss two other characters of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be enemies?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of love throughout King of Shadows. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with love? Why? What are some symbols of love? Symbols of hate or dislike? What characters seem most loving? Least loving?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of grief throughout "King of Shadows". What characters are most concerned with grief? Why? What are some symbols of grief? How do the characters handle grief?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of politics throughout "King of Shadows". What characters are most involved in politics? Why? What are some symbols of politics? Symbols of power? Why are some of the ways different characters express their political involvement?

Essay Topic 3

In the world of academia, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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