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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 is Nat in the dream he has?

2. Where does Jennifer come from to go to Guy's hospital?

3. What does the flag flying over the Globe indicate?

4. What particularly disgusts Nat about the Queen?

5. Where does the Queen ask the company to perform in a month's time?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harry explain to Nat about the political climate of that time?

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

3. Describe Nat's dream that he has in Chapter 16.

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

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

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

7. What does Shakespeare tell Nat about soldiers in the theater and what happens with that situation?

8. In Chapter 12, who arrives at Guy's Hospital and what does the person learn?

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

10. Where does Nat awaken in Chapter 17 and what does he find out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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"?

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think the King of Shadows is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "King of Shadows".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of King of Shadows. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "King of Shadows". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 988 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample