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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 is Astolfo's suggestion to Estrella?

2. Who does Clotaldo bring before Basilio?

3. How are Recisunda and Clorilene related?

4. How does Rosaura feel about Segismundo's revelations?

5. Who faces each off in a hallway in the palace?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you believe Rosaura should demand justice from the man who essentially rules the Dukedom in which she lives, or should she chalk the situation up to experience and get on with her life, as is later suggested by Caltalfo.

2. Who has overheard Segismundo and what does this person do upon hearing Segismundo threaten murder?

3. What is Rosaura's response upon hearing Segismundo explain his predicament?

4. How do Estrella and Astolfo act when the Basilio appears?

5. What does it say about the status of women in this country by the mission on which Rosaura is embarked?

6. Explain Clotaldo actions in regard to Segismundo at the beginning of this act.

7. What does Segismundo do upon hearing Rosaura's pleas for mercy?

8. Why is Basilio talking about his skills as a master astrologer?

9. How does Basilio know the kind of ruler Segismundo would be?

10. What is Segismundo doing in this first scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In several scenes in the play, Clotaldo is noted as being ever loyal to the king, willing to follow the king's orders not matter the cost.

1. Do you believe there is ever a justifiable reason to disobey a law?

2. Would you disobey a law if you believe it to be immoral even if you knew you would suffer severe consequences? Why or why not?

3. In the military, obeying orders is required, else one sits for a court-martial; however, one is obligated to disobey an order if the order is not lawful. Do you believe you would disobey an order if told to do something illegal or immoral even if you were uncertain if your actions would be condoned as correct? Discuss thoroughly, giving a hypothetical example.

Essay Topic 2

The concept of justice is quite complex in this play. Sometimes it seems the truly guilty are spared and/or forgiven (example Astolfo) and those who are not particularly guilty suffer (examples Clarnn's death and the soldier's imprisonment in the last act of the play.)

Define justice. Do you believe justice is meted out fairly in the area in which you live? Discuss one well-known example of a person not receiving justice (in your opinion) and one who suffers an injustice. How would you have handled each case? Have you been merciful to someone who deserved justice? How did you feel about offering mercy?

Essay Topic 3

When King Basilio enters in Act 1, Scene 2, one of the topics upon which he expounds is that of Astrology.

Write an essay answering the following questions:

1. Do you believe astrology is a valid way to plan one's day/life?

2. How often do you read your daily astrological prediction and would you alter your plans based upon the daily chart? Why or why not.

3. If astrology were proven to be true and accurate, do you believe you could change your fate as predicted by the stars? How would you do so?

4. If science proved astrology to absolutely false, would you still read your daily advice from the astrology column in the newspaper? Why or why not. If you do not read the astrology column, why not?

(see the answer keys)

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