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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. Segismundo's thinking about his "dream" and the new revelation it gives him about life, might be called what?
2. Who else has been thrown into a cell in the tower?
3. Where does Astolfo go?
4. What is likely to be Clotaldo's true feelings when he pronounces Astolfo as vile?
5. How does Segismundo handle being addressed as Prince?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why have the soldiers come to the tower prison?
2. How do Clotaldo's actions in this scene give the audience a glimpse into a possible positive characteristic of the man?
3. What does Segismundo do to Clotaldo?
4. What transpires at the beginning of this scene?
5. What does Clotaldo say to Rosaura and is this a reasonable response?
6. How does Segismundo respond to the idea that the right thing should be done even if one is dreaming?
7. How does Clotaldo's waffling about this issue demonstrate the extent of the patriarchal culture in which he lives?
8. Why is Clarnn cast into prison?
9. How does Segismundo respond to the soldiers' errand?
10. How does Segismundo's treatment of Clotaldo reflect upon his future behavior if he gains 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 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?
Essay Topic 3
In Act 2, scene 2, a literary technique takes place called a narrative contrivance. Write a cohesive, coherent essay, answering the following, using detailed examples to illustrate your points.
1. Research and explain what a narrative contrivance is.
2. What is the most obvious narrative contrivance that takes place in this play?
3. Does this narrative contrivance work for you? Why or why not?
4. How might the author of this play used another way to deal with the narrative contrivance you have identified?
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This section contains 1,003 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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