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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. Why does Mac berate the Gang in Act One Scene Two?

2. What does Macheath say about Jimmy II?

3. Who sings, "What the use of grieving, when the mother who bore you (Mary, pity women!) knows it all before you"?

4. Which character says, "You get that every day at Mac the Knife's. You've landed in the honey pot all right."

5. Where does the narrator say Macheath flees to in Act Two Scene Four?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Act Three, Scene Nine take place? Who, in addition to Macheath, is here?

2. What do Macheath and Brown discuss in Act Three Scene Nine? Why?

3. Who comes to see Macheath in the last scene? Why?

4. What does Lucy reveal to Polly in Act Three at her home? Why?

5. What is Peachum arranging the beggars to do in Act Three? Why?

6. How does Macheath escape from jail?

7. Who sings "Call from the Grave"? What is the song about?

8. Who is Lucy and why does Macheath not want her mentioned in the feast scene?

9. What is the tone of the song "The Ballad of Sexual Obsession"? Who sings it?

10. What is an antihero? How is an antihero different from a tragic hero?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the theme of The Threepenny Opera. How is this theme executed? How does the theme represent Brecht's sociopolitical views?

Essay Topic 2

Define the term Deus Ex Machina. Where does this theatrical device originate? How does it apply to The Threepenny Opera? Why do you think Brecht chooses to implement this?

Essay Topic 3

Describe how the allusion to Judas' betrayal relates to The Threepenny Opera. Which character is seen as Judas? What actions does that character do similarly and what is the outcome of those actions? Are there consequences for those actions?

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