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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 his second note of "Two Notes," the author writes "When an atmosphere is so transformed that a hostile audience is suddenly and blindly immersed and invincibly disarmed, it must be hailed as _____."

2. In his first letter of "Letters on Cruelty," Artaud writes, "I do not systematically cultivate _____."

3. To what does Artaud compare the ability of the theater's "magical means of art and speech to be exercised organically and altogether"?

4. What does Artaud write of the set for the Theater of Cruelty?

5. In his second note of "Two Notes," Artaud writes, "everything that is ______ is sacred and since his gestures are so beautiful that they take on a symbolic significance."

Short Essay Questions

1. What must the actor control in order to relate emotions he wants to convey?

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

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

4. Describe the events of the last two acts of "The Conquest of Mexico."

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

6. What movie does Artaud use in comparison to his main subject in the first note of "Two Notes"? What does he write of American filmmakers?

7. In Artaud's first letter in "Letters on Cruelty," who is he writing to and what is his principle subject?

8. What is Artaud's subject in his first note from "Two Notes"?

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

10. What is Artaud's subject of his second note in "Two Notes"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of spoken language in Oriental Theater and Occidental Theater. What are the differences? What did Artaud make of these?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Artaud's use of metaphor as he relates the theater to the plague. What are the benefits of both? What are the downfalls?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the terms "art" and "aestheticism." What does Artaud write of the Western Theater's confusion of these terms?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 925 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample