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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 Clotaldo urge Rosaura to do?

2. What was Basilio's belief about his son Segismundo?

3. What do the guards do when they discover Rosaura and Clarnn?

4. What alias is Rosaura using?

5. How does Segismundo respond to what Clotaldo tells him?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Estrella's response to Astolfo's protestations of love and desire for marriage?

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

4. What is Basilio's response to hearing about why Rosaura and Clarnn are brought before him in chains?

5. 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.

6. What is Segismundo doing in this first scene?

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

8. How likely is it that Segismundo could assume the throne and be a good, wise ruler?

9. What happens when Clotaldo spies the sword which Rosaura is wearing?

10. What are some of the ways Segismundo demonstrates his unsuitability for the throne?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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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