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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Artaud intends his theater to to seek in the what of tremendous masses?
(a) Clamoring.
(b) Terror.
(c) Sensation.
(d) Agitation.

2. To whom does the author write his third letter from "Letters on Cruelty"?
(a) J.P.
(b) Mme. Richeliou.
(c) Aguste Francois.
(d) M.R. de R.

3. Every breath has how many kinds of time?
(a) Three.
(b) Six.
(c) Four.
(d) Eight.

4. In his first letter from "Letters on Cruelty," Artaud claims that "it is understood that life is always" what?
(a) Bloodshed.
(b) Murder.
(c) Someone's death.
(d) Cruel.

5. In his second letter of "Letters on Language," Artaud states that he finds the duality between author and _____ in the context of theater totally absurd, since there should be no difference between them."
(a) Stage manager.
(b) Director.
(c) Mise en scene.
(d) Actor.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Artaud write in his first letter of "Letters on Cruelty" that he cannot reveal the particulars of?

2. According to Artaud, where does the great public look to along with the music hall or the circus for violent satisfactions?

3. What does Artaud accuse the "current" theater of turning its public into?

4. What is the name of the final act of Artaud's proposed production?

5. In his first letter of "Letters on Language," Artaud insists that the task of ______ must not be subordinated to spoken or written words as if this task was simply an accessory to theater."

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the themes and content of the "Theater of Cruelty" based on the second manifesto. What is the spectacle like?

2. Describe the events of the first two acts of "The Conquest of Mexico."

3. Describe how Artaud defines the images and movement of the "Theater of Cruelty" in his second manifesto.

4. Discuss the use of masks and accessories as described in the First Manifesto.

5. What does Artaud describe "cruelty" in reference to in his letters?

6. What is Artaud's approach to the audience in the theater of cruelty?

7. Who is Hieronymous Bosch and why does Artaud write about him in "The Theater of Cruelty"?

8. Discuss how Artaud's time and place impact his vision of the theater.

9. What does Artaud write of in his third letter of "Letters on Language," which follows the publication of his Manifesto?

10. Discuss and describe Artaud's depiction of lighting for the Theater of Cruelty in the First Manifesto.

(see the answer keys)

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