View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which play is presented in Chapter 5 as portraying Will’s empathy with citizens of the lower classes?
(a) Henry IV
(b) Henry VI
(c) Romeo and Juliet
(d) King Lear

2. What particular aspect did the public want in their plays during Will’s day?
(a) Romance
(b) Violence
(c) Honesty
(d) Human dignity

3. What activity did Will try to avoid while living in London?
(a) Writing any plays that would call attention to his illegal dealings
(b) Stealing money
(c) Writing incriminating documents signed with his name
(d) Drinking alcohol

4. What was the name of Will’s mother?
(a) Esther Arden
(b) Mary Arden
(c) Lucy Campion
(d) Susanna Marlowe

5. Chapter 6 begins with a discussion of…
(a) Life in nearby France
(b) The political climate of Will’s day
(c) Life in the various sections of London
(d) The life of Will’s children

Short Answer Questions

1. What was a difference between Will and Christopher Marlowe that is presented in Chapter 6?

2. Where did Will possibly live between the time of his school days and his marriage?

3. What does Tamburlaine the Great contain that impacted Will’s own writing?

4. The urgency of Will’s marriage is reflected in two characters from which of his plays?

5. Which is a likely description of Will’s marriage?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the community in which Will grew up. Was it in a rural area? Was it in a big city?

2. Who was Richard Field? Why was Will’s relationship with him important?

3. What two personal conclusions did Will draw as a result of his relationship with Edmund Campion?

4. What was Tamburlaine the Great? Who wrote it? Why was it significant?

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

6. Who was Edmund Campion? What faith was he devoted to?

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

8. List 3 popular forms of entertainment in London during Will’s time.

9. What influence did Will’s education have on his later work as a playwright?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 719 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample