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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. For how long will the potion given Juliet keep her in a state of apparent death?

2. Where does Romeo meet Juliet after the ball where they meet?

3. Why is Marina not killed by Dionysa's servant?

4. When does Aegeon's son ask Aegeon if he can search for his twin and mother?

5. Which character is not killed by Hamlet?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the opening of Twelfth Night similar to the story that begins Comedy of Errors?

2. How does Pericles lose Thaisa at sea?

3. How does Pericles reunite with his daughter and wife at the end of the story?

4. What happens to Aegeon's lost son and servant in Comedy of Errors?

5. How do Romeo and Juliet die?

6. How does Helena trick Bertram out of his ring in All's Well That Ends Well?

7. In Pericles, how does Marina become a slave?

8. What challenge does Bertram make to Helena in All's Well That Ends Well?

9. What does Timon do with his chest of gold at the end of his story?

10. Describe Iago's revenge against Othello.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

The tragic figure of Shakespeare's stories suffer because they make rash decisions without considering the full ramifications of their actions. Write an essay discussing three tragic figures from the collection and the decisions they make. What drives the most destructive of these choices? What does the character want to accomplish, and what does he or she not consider regarding the ramifications of these choices? How do these choices undo this character, and what is Shakespeare saying about the human condition with this reversal?

Essay Topic 3

Shakespeare's stories often involve a divide between the town - with its merchants and political squabbles - and the country, a setting of ease and merriment. Citing specific stories from the text, discuss in an essay how Shakespeare uses this divide in his stories. What can occur in the country that cannot in the town? How are interactions different? Why do people choose to - or are forced to - leave the city? Do comedies or tragedies use this device more often?

(see the answer keys)

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