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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 Lucrezia do much of while Alfonso is away?

2. Who does Lucrezia think is Alfonso's more attractive sister?

3. What does Alfonso say during Lucrezia's portrait painting that is strange and disturbing?

4. Who does Lucrezia notice Elisabetta seems interested in?

5. What does Eleanora caution Lucrezia to be careful of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Emilia tell Lucrezia about their past connection?

2. What does Lucrezia ask at court which Alfonso embarrasses her about?

3. What is Elisabetta like to Lucrezia?

4. Who does Emilia hear has ordered the Duke's mother's exile?

5. What comment does Alfonso make about Lucrezia's portrait that startles her and the painters?

6. How does Lucrezia feel about posing for a portrait?

7. What is Nunciata like to Lucrezia?

8. Who does Lucrezia save from death in Part III?

9. In the start of Part III, why does Lucrezia have some hope she may be able to survive Alfonso's attempts on her life?

10. What does the Duke say when Lucrezia suggests she may help him with is duties?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do O'Farrell's descriptions of some of the medical advice, treatments, and conventions of Lucrezia's day inform the reader about the daily lives and struggles of those who lived in that time period? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How is Lucrezia's near-miss with the boiling water that hit Emilia when they were both very young children foreshadow what is to come for both characters in the end of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How and why do Lucrezia's first sexual experiences with Alfonso change her impressions of him? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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