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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. By allowing Caltaldo to leave, what does Segismundo demonstrate?

2. What seems to be a predominant characteristic of Clotaldo?

3. Where do Basilio and Estrella go?

4. How does Clotaldo respond to Segismundo?

5. How is Clarnn addressed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What transpires at the beginning of this scene?

2. About what does Rosaura speak to Clotaldo?

3. What is happening to Segismundo when this scene opens?

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

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

6. What do you think Estrella's motives are in urging the king to personally go quell the rioting?

7. What is ironic about the ending of this scene?

8. Perhaps the most logical of all the character's words and actions takes place now as Rosaura rebuts Clotaldo's claiming honor as a reason he cannot harm Astolfo. What is Rosaura's rationale as to why Clotoldo can honorably help her.

9. How does Segismundo respond?

10. How does Clotaldo's waffling about this issue demonstrate the extent of the patriarchal culture in which he lives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the opening to Act 1, Scene 2, Cousins Estrella and Asolfo are niece and nephew to the king, who as far as they know, has no son or daughter of his own. Estrella claims the throne as the eldest child of the eldest daughter; Astolfo's claim lies in the fact of his gender. Were the situation reversed and Astolfo was the eldest child of the eldest daughter, there would be no question to his rights to the throne. Most monarchies of Europe are based upon preference to males as heirs to the throne even today. Choose one of the following to write a cohesive, detailed essay:

1. Write a cohesive essay detailing why you think men are or are not more capable of ruling than woman. Include some historical citations from at least two European countries.

2. Write an essay discussing how you think the ruling styles of men and women would differ. Which style would you prefer? Why?

3. Write an essay describing how you think the rules of ascension should be enacted and why you believe your idea is better than two European counties you research.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In Act 3, Scene 1, Soldiers arrive at the prison tower and ask Segismundo to lead them in a rebellion against the king and his declaration of Asolfo and Estrella as joint heirs to the throne. Answer one of the following in a well-written essay using detailed examples from the book or other sources.

1. How often do you think a king or queen is overthrown by one is his/her children? What do you think are some of the reasons that a child overthrows his/her parent off a throne?

2. Would you be willing to depose your parent from the throne? Under what circumstances?

3. If you were the younger son/daughter and the older child was to inherit the throne but you knew he or she would be a murderous, tyrannous ruler, what would you do? Would you go so far as to have that sibling murdered?

4. Do you think the throne should be passed to the oldest child or to the child most able to rule? How would a parent decide who is most able?

(see the answer keys)

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