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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 Nat remember from his history lesson about the Earl of Essex?

2. Who does Nat think is a stronger presence on stage than Shakespeare?

3. How does Nat feel about Shakespeare when the man is on the stage?

4. What does Nat ask if he can do when he graduates St. Paul's?

5. How does Nat use St. Paul's as an excuse?

Short Essay Questions

1. What dos Arby give Nat and what does Nat discover is Arby's full name?

2. What interests the company about Nat and Roper and how does Nick Tooley put Nat into an awkward position?

3. How is Sam Gilbourne dressed for his role as Hippolyta?

4. How do Gil and Rachel respond to Nat's story about his time in 1599?

5. Why does Nat argue with Arby about Nat's exit and what does Nat do?

6. What do Nat, Gil and Rachel learn about the Nat Field of 1599?

7. Describe Nat, Burbage and Shakespeare's interview with Queen Elizabeth I.

8. What is the audience's response to Sam's entrance onstage?

9. What do Nat and his aunt Jen decide to do?

10. What does Nat think is the reason he and the other Nat were not discovered to be impostors?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nat of 1999 is a about sixteen when the novel opens. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Nat seems like an average sixteen year old? Give examples and why you say the activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Nat seems older than sixteen? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Nat as he is developed throughout the book.

3. Is it realistic to think Nat could handle the situations that arise in the novel in the ways he does? How much impact do you think Nat's father's suicide had on his growing up faster?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as King of Shadows help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading King of Shadows? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "King of Shadows" to discuss and compare Nat's response to that of two other characters and to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

King of Shadows belongs to the literary genre of historical fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read an historical fiction novel? Is entertainment a good enough reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In "academe," historical fiction novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes "snubbed" in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this "snobbery"?

(see the answer keys)

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