View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of what acting group did the earlier Nat Field join?

2. How does Nat perceive the Queen's way of talking?

3. What explanation is there for why Nat Field did not see Shakespeare again?

4. Who escorts Nat and Shakespeare home?

5. Who is Sam Gilbourne dressed to resemble?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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. How does Nat feel before the performance and how does Shakespeare help Nat with those feelings?

6. What is Nat trying to figure out about his experience over the past week and what does he decide about them?

7. What unexpected thing happens as Nat is acting and what is the outcome?

8. Why is Nat worried concerning the political situation and Shakespeare and Burbage?

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

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

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "King of Shadows" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

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)

This section contains 1,186 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample