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

2. Why is Sir Wilfull unsuccessful when he tries to woo Mrs. Millamant?

3. Why would tabloid reporters be unable to judge the play?

4. Which character(s) is/are not present in Lady Wishfort's dining room?

5. What does Sir Wilfull Witwoud's remarks on Wishfort's dressing reveal about his character?

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. 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?

3. Compare Congreve's opinions on love, marriage, and honesty with another play, novel, movie, etc. you know well.

4. How do critics today differ from Congreve's description of them?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How much are the characters molded by their time and place? Would the same characters act differently in modern society? What traits would remain the same and which ones would be replaced with other traits?

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think that the audiences of Restoration society did not like the play? Would audiences today be more receptive? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

How has Congreve worked to make us feel sympathetic to certain characters while having no sympathy for others? Explain your answer with specific examples from the play.

(see the answer keys)

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