View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where was the setting for Act 1, Scene 1?

2. How does Gaunt try to persuade Bolingbroke to think of his banishment?

3. To whom does Bolingbroke send a message to in Act 3, Scene 1 that he has no ill-will towards?

4. Who invites Bolingbroke to stay at Berkley Castle?

5. How many characters speak in Act 1, Scene 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Act 1, Scene 2, what does the Duchess of Gloucester seem to be saying she is going to do?

2. What does the Queen learn while eavesdropping?

3. What is Richard told has happened to the Welsh army? How does Richard respond?

4. What worries the men in Act 2, Scene 4?

5. How does Act 5, Scene 5 end?

6. How does Bolingbroke handle the murder of Richard?

7. How does Gaunt try lifting Bolingbroke's spirits? Does it work?

8. What happens after Aumerle and his family enter Act 5, Scene 3?

9. What happens at the end of Act 5, Scene 1? What does this say of York?

10. Why does the Captain think Richard is dead?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is probably most peoples' answer that Bolingbroke would make a better king than Richard when it comes to real life. However, Richard certainly fills the shoes of a king's character better. In other words, his character did a better job of "being a king" on stage. Discuss this difference and what Shakespeare might have meant including it with the play.

Essay Topic 2

In the first scene, we see Richard behaving quite fairly and just as a leader. In the second, we are given reason to question his righteousness. By the third scene, we witness Richard banish Bolingbroke for a particularly unclear reason. Describe your experience trusting Richard, and mark the point in the play when you completely understood he was untrustworthy.

Essay Topic 3

Who do you think lived by their values the most throughout the story? Who did not? Discuss morality in the characters, and how you think this affected their behavior.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 802 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample