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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. Where did Will possibly live between the time of his school days and his marriage?
(a) Lancashire
(b) Birmingham
(c) London
(d) Paris

2. What illegal activity was John Shakespeare involved in?
(a) Spying
(b) Whiskey brewing
(c) Deer poaching
(d) Illicit wool dealing

3. What did Will see upon entering his new home city that made him afraid?
(a) Heads of executed men impaled on spears
(b) People dying from the plague
(c) An army of soldiers coming out to meet him
(d) The crumbling defenses of the city

4. Which of Will’s plays does NOT discuss loss of social status?
(a) The Merchant of Venice
(b) The Tempest
(c) Romeo and Juliet
(d) Twelfth Night

5. What did Will apparently believe in as the “ultimate religion?”
(a) Roman Catholicism
(b) Protestantism
(c) Paganism
(d) Romantic love

Short Answer Questions

1. What suggestion is made in Chapter 4 regarding the representation of parenting in Will’s theatrical works?

2. What was Will licensed for during the time that he lived in Stratford?

3. Where did Will meet his future wife?

4. What illegal activity was Will possibly involved in?

5. Chapter 5 begins with an examination of…

Short Essay Questions

1. It is interesting to note that Will had an aversion to producing signed documents. Why was this the case?

2. Describe the general feelings towards Roman Catholics during the England of Will’s day.

3. Who was Sir Thomas Lucy? What was Will’s relationship with him?

4. Describe Will’s involvement with “The Queen’s Men.” Why was his involvement with this group important to his career?

5. Discuss the possible reason for Will’s hasty marriage and identify which of Will’s plays reflects the same urgency between a male and female character.

6. Describe the careers, both legal and illegal, of John Shakespeare.

7. Why would John Shakespeare’s fall into disrepute have been bothersome to Will?

8. Why did John Shakespeare try to purchase a coat of arms for his family? Was he successful?

9. What are some possible reasons for Will’s leaving Stratford and going to London?

10. In what language was Will’s education conducted? Was this common?

(see the answer keys)

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