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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. What does the prologue permit Congreve to do to the audience?
(a) It shows how the poet is always in charge of the performance.
(b) It gives him a platform where he can answer his critics.
(c) It allows him to introduce the themes of the play.
(d) It serves as a sounding board for his concept of drama.

2. Who is Mrs. Millamant?
(a) A relative of the two gentlemen.
(b) An acquaintance of Mirabell.
(c) Fainall's sister.
(d) The woman Mirabell loves.

3. Who are Witwoud and Petulant?
(a) Lady Wishfort's servants.
(b) Important gentlemen of this social group.
(c) Mrs. Millamant's servants.
(d) Followers of Mrs. Millamant.

4. Who are the fools spoken of in the prologue?
(a) Critics of the play.
(b) Husbands, wives and lovers.
(c) Poets and natural fools.
(d) Members of society in general.

5. Which word best describes what Mincing believes Witwoud to be?
(a) A country bumpkin.
(b) A gentleman.
(c) A fool.
(d) A despot.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who told Lady Wishfort about Mirabell's deception?

2. The prologue begins with a comparison of what?

3. Act 2, Scene 2 reveals the reason Mrs. Fainall married her husband. What was the reason?

4. What is a cabal?

5. What does the success of Congreve's play depend on?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Congreve use 'eavesdropping' in Act 3, Scene 1?

2. Describe Petulant.

3. Is Congreve's use of character names symbolic of their personalities an effective device?

4. Describe Mrs. Millamant.

5. Describe Lady Wishfort.

6. What is the relationship between Lady Wishfort and Mrs. Marwood?

7. Explain what Mrs. Marwood learned when she stayed in the closet in Lady Wishfort's dressing room. How does she react?

8. Do you think that a prologue is a good way to introduce a play? Why or why not?

9. Mrs. Marwood is someone who thinks of revenge when others cross her. What scheme do you think Mrs. Marwood is planning to extract her revenge on Mirabell?

10. Why does Mrs. Marwood tell Lady Wishfort she has seen Foible with Mirabell?

(see the answer keys)

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