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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 might the idea of using a dream to convince Segismundo he has never left his cell be considered?

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

3. How does Clotaldo respond to Segismundo?

4. Who else has been thrown into a cell in the tower?

5. What is the setting at the opening of this act?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Segismundo do to Clotaldo?

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

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

5. How does Segismundo respond?

6. What transpires at the beginning of this scene?

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

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

9. 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.

10. Why is Clarnn cast into prison?

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

Choose one of the three options below and write an essay using details and examples from the play:

1. Almost all fiction contains some form of the idea of good versus evil. Take three characters and explain why they are good, evil, or a mixture and provide examples from the book

2. How would the story have changed if Clotaldo had revealed himself as Rosaura's father at the very beginning of the play? Take two scenes where Clotaldo and Rosaura appear and rewrite them as if Rosaura knows Clotaldo is her father.

3. Most fiction contains some examples of foreshadowing. Carefully re-read the play and list five places you believe foreshadow a future event in the play. Give details and explain why you chose each instance.

Essay Topic 3

The idea of a quest is a very old one--there are numerous reasons why one might go upon a quest. In this first act, Rosaura states she is on a quest for justice. Choose one of the following to write a cohesive, detailed essay:

1. Pretending you have not read the play even if you have, read this first act carefully and try to think of several reasons Rosaura might be seeking justice. Discuss each one and evaluate how important you think each quest is. Examples: To find redress for a land dispute. To seek relief from a tyrannical authority figure who perhaps overtaxes his subjects.

2. Choose two diverse cultures who have a tradition of vision quests, (e.g., a Native American tribe in the plains versus the Eskimo tribe of Alaska) and research the two traditions. Compare and contrast the two groups.

3. Some cultures have actual methods in place for young men (and sometimes women) to go on a quest to mark the passage from childhood to adulthood. Other cultures, such as that of the United States, do not have a homogeneous population and therefore there is not a formal tradition for questing; however, young people still quest, though it may not be recognized as such. Write an essay about ways you think young people in high tech societies carry out a quest to mark their passage into adulthood. Do you think these ways are as valid as the ways of those cultures who have methods set in long centuries of tradition?

(see the answer keys)

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