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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 Segismundo's reaction when Estrella walks in?

2. What is likely to be Segismundo's performance as a king?

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

4. Upon exploring, what does Rosaura find?

5. Of whom is Estrella the daughter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you believe the solution for the two to marry and rule jointly is a good compromise?

2. How does Segismundo's state of mind change from wonder to rage?

3. What is Segismundo doing in this first scene?

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

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

6. Are Segismundo's actions surprising?

7. Why do you think it is important to Rosaura to retrieve her locket?

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

9. 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.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 3, Scene 1, Segismundo perpetuates an act of clemency to Clotaldo, who has in the service of the king, wronged Segismundo over the years.

1. Do you believe you would have granted Clotaldo clemency had he participated in your imprisonment?

2. Is there a time you have, against the advice of others or your inclination, forgiven someone for a grievous wrong that person committed against you? How did you feel afterward? Were you glad to have forgiven that person?

3. Do acts of clemency from a king or president or ruler serve the greater good? Explain your answer and give an example, either real or hypothetical.

4. Just before leaving office, the president of the United States often grants pardons to numerous felons. Do you believe this power to grant pardons by the president is right? Does it benefit the nation or just the person receiving the pardon?

Essay Topic 2

In Act 3, Scene 2, Rosaura delivers a long soliloquy about her perceived dishonor at the hands of Astolfo. Many plays have one or more soliloquy's. Write a cohesive essay addressing the questions below using specific examples from the text and your personal life.

Define soliloquy and lists the times in this play when one occurs. List who is speaking, summarize the content of the soliloquy and how it adds to the plot. What do you think is the purpose of a soliloquy? Would you find them interesting or too non-active if you were watching this play? Rosaura's soliloquy is quite long. How do you think today's audience would react to hearing such a long speech? Do you think the audience of the time when this play was written would react differently?

Essay Topic 3

When Rosaura falls from her horse, she hears sounds from a tower and enters to find a man dressed in animal skins and secured with chains. The man acts insane and frightens Rosaura until he calms and they talk. Since you do not know any other information about who the man is at this point, it might occur to you that this person is insane. Choose one of the following to write a cohesive, detailed essay:

1. Research how insane persons were handled in the 1600s and write an essay describing what you learn.

2. Compare and contrast the way mentally ill people were handled in the 1600s versus in the United States or Europe in the 21st century.

3. Research and write an essay outlining the changes in how insane people were treated from the 1600s through the 1900s.

4. There are various differences among cultures as to their attitudes about insane people. Choose three diverse cultures and learn about and write an essay on the similarities and differences as to how an insane person was accepted/not accepted.

(see the answer keys)

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