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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. Millamant ask Witwoud and Petulant as they enter the room in Act 3, Scene 3?

2. What is the consequence of the revelation made by Mirabell concerning Mrs. Fainall?

3. When Fainall enters in Act 5, Scene 2, what does he do?

4. What does Foible tell Mrs. Millamant when she reaches her in Act 4, Scene 1?

5. Why does Mrs. Millamant agree to marry Sir Wilfull?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do you think audiences in this era would react to such a revolutionary position as that of Mrs. Millamant who was asking for equal rights?

2. Why is this play considered to be universal instead of simply a Restoration comedy of manners?

3. 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?

4. Discuss Lady Wishfort's reaction to Foible's revelations in Act 5, Scene 1.

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

6. Discuss Lady Wishfort's plans for receiving Sir Rowland. Why are the plans so elaborate?

7. 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.

8. Explain the significance of Sir Wilfull Witwoud's travels.

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

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

The motives of the characters seem to determine their success in the play. Discuss the different character's motivations in this play. Did any of them have the same motivations? What factors influenced the character's motivations?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Congreve's play is a comedy yet it has serious overtones. Explain how the playwright achieves both in this work. Give examples to illustrate your points.

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