View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which room of his house does Valpone entertain Volotre?

2. Who successfully wins the prize that Valpone is offering to the passersby?

3. How does Sir Political Would-Be describe the two men who arrive at Celia's house?

4. To which of the following universities does Jonson first dedicate his play?

5. How long has Peregrine been traveling away from England?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nano attempt to entertain Valpone when he comes to visit?

2. How does Valpone feel about Lady Political Would-Be?

3. How does the audience know that Corbaccio's hearing is failing?

4. When Mosca converses with Corvino, what does he tell him has begun to cure Valpone's ailments?

5. What type of acrostic does Jonson employ in his Prologue?

6. How does Corbaccio enter the scene when he comes to visit with Valpone?

7. How do the courts find out that Valpone is a liar?

8. What case does Voltore draw against Celia?

9. What plot does Mosca attempt to trick Corvino into joining with him, and what is Corvino's reaction?

10. What type of boasting does Jonson express in his Prologue of the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Venice is the setting of the entire play, and a setting that holds a lot of symbolic value in the text. Briefly describe the setting of Venice and the lifestyle that Venice affords to the characters in the play. Explain whether or not you believe Venice to be an appropriate setting for Valpone's tale, and why.

Essay Topic 2

When Valpone's plan is eventually revealed to the court, all of the characters involved receive individual and unique punishments. Create a list of the five characters that were involved in Valpone's plan and explain what the punishment for each of the characters was. Then, explain whether or not you believe that the punishments doled out fit the crimes, and why.

Essay Topic 3

Historians have long struggled to classify "Valpone" as either a tragedy or a comedy. Briefly explain the characteristics of each genre and argue which category you believe "Valpone" belongs to, and why.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 763 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample