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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 Segismundo occasionally wonder about throughout the rest of the story?

2. Where does Segismundo go at the end of this scene?

3. What does Segismundo do to Clotaldo instead of the action suggested in question #119?

4. What percentage of the people of Poland desire Segismundo as their king?

5. What is a predominant characteristic of Rosuara?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Segismundo respond?

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

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

4. Why have the soldiers come to the tower prison?

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

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

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

8. How does Segismundo's treatment of Clotaldo reflect upon his future behavior if he gains the throne?

9. 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?

10. About what does Rosaura speak to Clotaldo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Clotaldo continually prevaricates both to Segismundo and Rosaura; he does so because of his loyalty to the king (in Segismundo's case) and out of feeling obligated to Astolfo for saving Clotaldo's life. Write a cohesive essay addressing the questions below using specific examples from the text and your personal life.

Is there ever a good justification for lying--either by actively lying or passively not speaking up? About what would you feel fine lying to someone? Are there times that you would absolutely refuse to lie? Are there degrees of truth? How do you feel emotionally when you have lied? Does it depend upon the reason you lie? Do you believe Clotaldo is justified in lying both to Segismundo over the years and more recently to Rosaura?

(see the answer keys)

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