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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Bloom characterize "Julius Caesar"?
(a) As a warning against ambition.
(b) As the tragedy of the Senate.
(c) As the tragedy of all politics.
(d) As the tragedy of Brutus.

2. What does Bloom say almost overwhelms him about "Richard III"?
(a) The soliloquies.
(b) The battle scene.
(c) The seduction scene.
(d) The Marlovian influence.

3. What does Bloom say "Richard III" is a rehearsal for?
(a) More self-reflective heroes.
(b) Later villains.
(c) More believable female characters.
(d) More complex histories.

4. What does Bloom reiterate about Christopher Marlowe?
(a) That he was murdered by English government agents.
(b) That he drank heavily while writing.
(c) That he was a youngest son.
(d) That he was older than Shakespeare.

5. What does Bloom say is the purpose of Falstaff's philosophizing?
(a) Amusement.
(b) Self-reflection.
(c) Self-protection.
(d) Persuasion.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what later character does Bloom connect Brutus from "Julius Caesar"?

2. Who counters Richard II's character in "Richard II"?

3. Who was NOT a contemporary of Shakespeare's?

4. To whom does Bloom compare Puck unfavorably?

5. What play does Bloom say "Henry VI" resembles?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the main themes of "King John", in Bloom's interpretation?

2. What does "Romeo and Juliet" prefigure, in Bloom's interpretation?

3. How does Bloom describe the meaning of his title, "The Invention of the Human"?

4. How does Bloom characterize "Twelfth Night"?

5. What is it about Falstaff that Bloom likes so much?

6. What does Bloom say is the main action of "Two Gentlemen of Verona"?

7. What similarity does Bloom say there is between "Twelfth Night" and a Ben Jonson play?

8. What personality development does Bloom describe in "Taming of the Shrew"?

9. What does Bloom say is the primary rival for Romeo and Juliet's affections?

10. What does Bloom say Shakespeare's compare to in terms of world religion?

(see the answer keys)

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