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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. Where does Act 3, Scene 2 take place?

2. What does Claire order her ninth husband to do in Act 3, Scene 3?

3. Who is speaking at the beginning of Act 3, Scene 4?

4. What does Claire invite her visitors to sit upon in Act 3, Scene 1?

5. What does the Schoolmaster claim the town is moved by in Act 3, Scene 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is absurd about the proposition made to Claire in Act 3, Scene 1?

2. What plea do the visitors make to Claire in Act 3, Scene 1?

3. Why is the vote held twice in the final scene? Why do the reporters leave?

4. What conclusion has Ill come to in Act 3, Scene 2? Who does he discuss this with in his shop?

5. Who begins to tell the truth to the press in Act 3, Scene 2? Who stops him?

6. How did the child of Ill and Claire die?

7. What does Durrenmatt say regarding the setting of the play?

8. How is Claire's love of power revealed in Act 3, Scene 1?

9. What does Durrenmatt say in reference to allegory or symbolism in the postscript?

10. How has Ill's character undergone a drastic change in Act 3, Scene 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the character of Claire to that of Medea, whom is mentioned on multiple occasions in the play. How are they similar?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the author's notes in the postscript describing the approach to direction and performance of the play. What elements are essential? What should not be emphasized too deeply?

Essay Topic 3

What do the townspeople sing in the final chorus of the play? How does this represent the author's views of poverty in comparison to greed?

(see the answer keys)

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