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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 did Basilio proclaim?

2. Who arrives on the scene?

3. What is ironic about Clotaldo's counsel to Segismundo?

4. What is Caltaldo's final word on the subject?

5. What characteristic of Rosaura's might prove a weakness?

Short Essay Questions

1. About what does Rosaura speak to Clotaldo?

2. What does Clotaldo reply when Segismundo bemoans his fate?

3. How do Clotaldo's actions in this scene give the audience a glimpse into a possible positive characteristic of the man?

4. When this scene opens what is happening with Clarnn?

5. Does it seem odd that Clarnn is cast into prison even though several servants assisted the process of getting Segismundo back to the prison tower?

6. What does Clotaldo say to Rosaura and is this a reasonable response?

7. What transpires at the beginning of this scene?

8. How does Segismundo respond to the idea that the right thing should be done even if one is dreaming?

9. What foreshadows a possible positive ending to what could be a bloody civil war?

10. What is one of the key ideas of the play that comes up in Act 2, Scene 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

After Basilio and his army is defeated, Basilio offers himself as a "sacrifice" in place of punishment for the rest of his followers. Write a cohesive essay addressing the questions below using specific examples from the text and your personal life.

Define the concept of sacrifice. Research the idea of sacrifice in the political arena. Write an essay describing several instances of someone who willingly sacrifices him/herself for the sake of the lives of others and/or the political careers of others. Have you ever had to offer to sacrifice something for someone else's well-being? How did you feel in doing so? Was the sacrifice willingly offered? What are some situations in which you would be willing to be a "sacrifice" for others?

Essay Topic 3

Act 2, Scene One offers some complex themes and behaviors that are worth examining. One interesting idea is the differences and similarities among three of the men who appear in this scene. Answer the following questions thoroughly using detailed examples from Act 2, Scene 1, and any other examples from the rest of the play.

1. Compare and contrast the attitudes and behaviors of Astolfo, Segismundo, and Clotaldo towards women.

2. What are the similarities among the three? The differences?

3. Who do you think would be most likely to actually rape Estrella at this point in the play? What about in other scenes?

4. At the beginning of the play, how likely is it that Segismundo will rape a woman? By the end of the play how likely? Explain your response.

5. What do you think is the difference between how Clotaldo treated Violente, Astolfo treated Rosaura, and what Segismundo wants to do first to Estrella and then to Rosaura?

(see the answer keys)

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