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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. Which character(s) leave the dining room in Act 4, Scene 2?

2. What does Congreve believe about good satirists?

3. Why is the Fainall marriage over?

4. How is this play properly classified?

5. Lady Wishfort convinces herself that her daughter is innocent in a soliloquy. What is a soliloquy?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Explain Mrs. Fainall's relief at not being found out by her mother.

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

6. Why is Mrs. Marwood trying to provoke Mrs. Millamant in Act 3, Scene 3?

7. Is Mirabell's elaborate plot going to be successful? Explain why or why not?

8. 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?

9. Why does Mirabell agree to help the Fainall's achieve peace in their marriage?

10. Why does Lady Wishfort come to the conclusion that Sir Wilfull will not make a good husband for Mrs. Millamant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Witwoud, Sir Wilfull, and Petulant are minor characters in the play. They provide comic relief and further the plot along.

Part 1) Compare and contrast the two cousins: Witwoud and Sir Wilfull.

Part 2) What do you think would have happened in the play if Sir Wilfull had insisted on marrying Mrs. Millamant?

Part 3) Describe how Petulant tries to show his importance.

Essay Topic 3

In your opinion, who was the most successful character in achieving his or her goals in the play? Why have you chosen this character? Explain why you think this character succeeded where other failed.

(see the answer keys)

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