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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 does the Duchess believe that Michael wants?

2. What happened to the lead performer, during an early performance of the entertainment?

3. Who does Lord Horn want to help him with Richard?

4. What is Alec's attitude toward being the Duchess's heir?

5. What does Katherine say to Richard about the ambush?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens at the beginning of the formal inquiry into Lord Horn's death?

2. How does Lord Horn feel when he finds Richard has broken into his house?

3. What objection does Alec pose to writing the letter?

4. What is Richard and Alec's last night together like?

5. What does Richard say about the death of Lord Horn's swordsmen?

6. How does Richard feel about the duel he participates in during Chapter 16?

7. What does Katherine think she recognizes about Alec?

8. How do Alec and Richard react to Lord Horn lying at the trial?

9. What letter do the kidnappers ask Alec to write to Richard?

10. How did Katherine end her position with Lord Ferris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the play "The Swordman's Tragedy" within the novel.

1) What does the play reflect about the novel itself? Why does the author include it?

2) How do the different characters react to the superstitions surrounding the play? How do the existence of these superstitions affect the reader?

3) How does Richard perceive the play? What is his point of view about the play before seeing it and after watching it?

Essay Topic 2

Swordsmanship is central to the novel. Discuss sword fighting in the novel.

1) What changes about Michael after he studies sword fighting? What causes him to change?

2) What does sword fighting require? Is it a laudable occupation? What drives Richard to be a swordsman?

3) Basil believes hiring swordsmen is barbaric. Explain his point of view. Why does he think it is barbaric? How true is his depiction?

Essay Topic 3

Richard, as a swordsman, has a violent and even bloodthirsty role in the novel. Discuss violence and death in the novel.

1) How does the society look at death? How seriously does the society take death and violence?

2) What power does Richard's ability to inflict death give him? What other characters gain power through death and violence?

3) How is violence viewed differently by the different social classes in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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