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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. Cleopatra receives a message from Marc Antony telling her that _______________.

2. What does Cleopatra think will be Octavian's motivation to declare war on Egypt?

3. When does Antony plan to ask Octavia for a divorce?

4. Who is sending supplies and reinforcements to Antony in Syria?

5. What do the Romans think will eventually be Antony's downfall?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the dream that Cleopatra has regarding Antony's survival in battle?

2. What is the nature of Cleopatra's visit with Herod in Jerusalem?

3. Why is Cleopatra particularly disappointed in the contents of Caesar's will?

4. How is Antony's power diminished due to his desire to divorce Octavia and be with Cleopatra?

5. What is another reason that Marc Antony has requested Cleopatra's presence in Rome?

6. How does Cleopatra try to give the illusion of control while funding Antony's military campaigns?

7. How does Antony ultimately pleasantly surprise Cleopatra when she thought he was returning to Octavia?

8. How does the author use the technique of foreshadowing when telling about the wise, old man who is bitten by an asp and dies?

9. Why does Cleopatra take offense to something Mardian says regarding Cleopatra's need to re-marry?

10. What is Cleopatra's personal agony on the night before Antony departs for battle at Parthia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall settings for the story. Why does the author use the settings she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Ambition takes on an almost human persona in this book. What was the source of Cleopatra's, Caesar's and Antony's ambitions? Was she consumed with winning and getting ahead? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 3

Cleopatra was no stranger to hurt and pain. From what you know of Cleopatra's life through this book, what were her biggest sorrows and worst betrayals? How did she manage through them? How did her coping skills evidence themselves in many aspects of her life? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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