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

2. What does Nat decide to immerse himself in instead of worrying?

3. What color is Gilbourne's wig?

4. What does Nurse Jenkins tell Nat?

5. What does Shakespeare read to Nat?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Nat ask Shakespeare about returning to St. Paul's and what is Shakespeare's response?

4. Why does Nat challenge Arby's authority?

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

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

7. How do Gil and Rachel believe Nat Field of 1999 saved Shakespeare's life?

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

9. What secret does Arby reveal to Nat?

10. What intrigues Nurse Stevens about the Nat she is caring for in the isolation unit?

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

Susan Cooper uses real historical events and facts around which to weave her work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "King of Shadows" qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. What surprises you about the culture of late 1599 England?

4. What would you like the most about the time of 1599 England?

5. What would you like the least about the time of 1599 England?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation when Nat saves the life of Roper who has been spiteful to Nat over and over again. What other situations contain irony in "King of Shadows"?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "King of Shadows". What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in King of Shadows and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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