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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. What does Mrs. Marwood do to stop the argument between Petulant and Sir Wilfull in Act 3, Scene 3?

2. What is Lady Wishfort doing as Act 4, Scene 2 commences?

3. What qualities is the proposed marriage between Sir Rowland and Lady Wishfort rooted in?

4. As Lady Wishfort steps out of the dining room to read a letter, what does Waitwell claim to Foible?

5. What purpose does the interaction between Sir Rowland and Lady Wishfort serve as they discuss marriage?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does the discussion of marriage between Lady Wishfort and Sir Rowland differ from the discussion of Mrs. Millamant and Mirabell?

2. Lay out Fainall's demands to keep his knowledge about his wife from society. Is this a reasonable revenge or not?

3. Why do we feel sympathy for Lady Wishfort even though she is vain and is berating a servant at the beginning Act 5, Scene 1?

4. Explain the importance of the discussion of their marriage by Mrs. Millamant and Mirabell.

5. Why does Lady Wishfort accept Mirabell offer to help Mrs. Millamant?

6. As Act 4, Scene 2 opens Waitwell seems to be successful in his pursuit of Lady Wishfort. Why is this so? What is Lady Wishfort's reaction?

7. Why is Mrs. Marwood one of the least sympathetic characters in the play?

8. How have the fortunes of the lovers been determined in this play? Is this a good thing or a bad one? Explain your point of view.

9. What makes the scene between Mrs. Fainall and Foible comic?

10. Does Congreve achieve his purpose with the endless teasing of Sir Wilfull by his half-brother Witwoud and Petulant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Congreve seemed to be critical of Restoration society for various reasons. Find at least three examples in the play that illustrate his criticism. Explain why he thought each one of these points was negative. How would he have changed these failings? Explain your answer in detail.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the terms of marriage between the couples in the play and how those terms of marriage are the same or different from today's marriages. Support your answer with specific examples from the play.

Essay Topic 3

In the prologue, Congreve claims that tastes are determined by fate and that natural fools are blessed by fate. What does he mean? Does fate determine our destiny? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

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