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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. How does the viceroy react when Alexandro protests his innocence?

2. Why does Hieronimo urge Isabella to be calm and conceal her grief after Horatio's death?

3. How does the viceroy respond to Alexandro's claims about Balthazar?

4. Immediately after Hieronimo and Isabella lament the death of Horatio and talk about how happy he was at dinner, what does Hieronimo do?

5. What is the punishment that is meted out to Alexandro?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isabella imagine herself doing in Act 3, Scene 8, and what does she see herself as?

2. When Andrea first introduces himself in the play, what facets of his life does he mention?

3. The viceroy rants to his courtiers about what in Act 1, Scene 3?

4. How is Alexandro going to be executed and how does he escape this fate?

5. Who does Pedringano reveal to Lorenzo as an object of Bel-Imperia's love and how does he know that she loves him?

6. Describe Bel-Imperia's soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 9.

7. In the Underworld, what fate does the soul of Andrea face and who decides this fate?

8. At the beginning of Act 1, Scene 3, who are the courtiers that report to the viceroy and what do they reveal?

9. How does Horatio react when Bel-Imperia asks him to tell her about the circumstances of Andrea's death and what information does he share?

10. What does the Portuguese ambassador do as he is leaving the king and Castile?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Isabella considers taking herbal remedies but decides that they will not be effective. Evaluate the role of healing and medicine in the novel, writing an essay showing how these themes play out in the context of "The Spanish Tragedy."

Essay Topic 2

Research the idea of morality plays, then write an essay exploring how this play compares with a morality play in content and form. How is it similar? How is it different?

Essay Topic 3

The connection between Lorenzo and his Portuguese counterpart, Villuppo, allows for foreshadowing in what happens in the Spanish court. Write an essay exploring how this connection and others in the two courts support foreshadowing in the play.

(see the answer keys)

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