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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. In Merchant of Venice, why can Antonio not pay his bond to Shylock?

2. Who tips off Orlando that his life is in danger in As You Like It?

3. What request does Beatrice make of Benedick after Hero's honor is questioned?

4. Why does Antonio agree to the "pound of flesh" condition in Shylock's bond?

5. In As You Like it, how does Oliver plan to kill Orlando after his initial plan fails?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Hero and Claudio reunited at the end of Much Ado About Nothing?

2. At the end of As You Like It, what happy news arrives concerning the banished duke?

3. Describe the interaction between Prospero and his enemies on the island at the end of The Tempest.

4. How are Orlando and Oliver reconciled in As You Like It?

5. Why does Macbeth kill Banquo?

6. What is Don Pedro's attitude to Beatrice and Benedick at the beginning of Much Ado About Nothing?

7. What bad decision does Antonio make regarding borrowing money in Merchant of Venice?

8. In The Tempest, how does Prospero bring his enemies to the island?

9. How does Leontes respond to his new daughter at the beginning of The Winter's Tale?

10. How does Prospero find Ariel in The Tempest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of women in Shakespeare's work is remarkably ambiguous, particularly in his comedies. Choose three heroines from his comedies - Katharine, Beatrice, Helena, etc - and chart their arc over the course of the narrative. Are their objectives relatively constant throughout? Do they take their courtship into their own hands over the course of the narrative? Are they dynamic character, changing over the course of the narrative? If so, what changes them? Is it self- or society-imposed?

Essay Topic 2

In Shakespeare's day, sea travel was the most common form of extended travel, particularly in the Mediterranean. As such, ship travel and ship wrecks play an important role in his plays as drivers of narrative. Write an essay, citing three stories, of the use of maritime travel in Shakespeare. How does sea travel offer narrative opportunities that land travel does not? Why do so many stories begin with a shipwreck? What narrative needs does he shipwreck provide?

Essay Topic 3

Shakespeare's comedies involve betrayal and reconciliation between family members and friends. Write an essay about three comedies and discuss how friends and family members betray each other. What compels them to do this? What is the fallout from this betrayal? Discuss what events occur that lead to reconciliation among them? What does this redemption say about the nature of friendship, family and love?

Part 1) The Winter's Tale

Part 2) Two Gentlemen of Verona

Part 3) As You Like It

(see the answer keys)

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