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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 is Alceste unable to do for others or for himself?

2. What do we know about Célimène's past?

3. Why does Philinte think the office is present?

4. Oronte asks Alceste to critique what?

5. Alceste tells Basque to do what with the person who awaits him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the discussion between Acaste and Clitandre about?

2. In Act 4, Scene 1, what does Philinte say happens to Alceste in court?

3. What does Act 2, Scene 3 reveal about the relationship between Célimène and Alceste?

4. Celimene is finally asked to make a decision about a suitor in Act 5, Scene 2. Who confronts her, and why?

5. Why does Act Five, Scene One seem like a repeat for Act One, Scene One?

6. What is suggested about Alceste's position in Celimene's life when she calls his bluff about leaving in Ace Two, Scene Three?

7. How does Alceste feel when Célimène tries to explain away the other men?

8. Why do you think Alceste cannot flatter Oronte just a little bit?

9. How might Alceste have flattered Oronte's sonnet and still have been honest?

10. Alceste has just decided to stay at Celimene's to see which suitor she sends home first. Why is Alceste the first to leave, and what was the reaction of Philinte and Celimene's other suitors?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Act 2, Scene 3, Célimène tells Alceste he is not indispensable. Describe why this moment is significant in the play.

Essay Topic 2

What two things does the reader learn from the argument between Philine and Alceste? Identify the points in the argument that lead the reader to this discovery. Why does the author use an argument to make his point? Can he express these issues in a different way?

Essay Topic 3

Irony is a secondary theme throughout this play. Discuss the various instances that irony is used in the play. Does this technique enhance the play or the characters? If yes, how? If no, why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 656 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample