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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. What is the basic plot of Will’s play Richard II?
(a) A powerful monarch gets sick
(b) A feeble monarch is deposed
(c) A strong monarch is overthrown
(d) A cowardly monarch flees the country

2. What was the watching public’s response to the execution of Queen Elizabeth’s personal doctor?
(a) Cruel laughter
(b) Massive fear
(c) Sympathetic pity
(d) Great remorse

3. Will’s plays are considered to be…
(a) Important religious documents
(b) Deep studies of human nature
(c) Terrible examples of writing
(d) Mere stories

4. What was a significant innovation in Hamlet that refers to a method of speaking by a particular character?
(a) The use of foreshadowing
(b) The act of speaking in another language
(c) The soliloquy
(d) The epic poem

5. Describe Queen Elizabeth’s reaction to Richard II.
(a) She was pleased
(b) She was upset
(c) She was indifferent
(d) She was apathetic

Short Answer Questions

1. What happened to the members of the important group of playwrights in London during Will’s day?

2. Which of Will’s plays does the removal of motivation for characters’ actions NOT affect?

3. What happened to the Earl of Essex?

4. What was the name of the house that Will purchased?

5. What did Queen Elizabeth require of her subjects, no matter what their religious beliefs were?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are two main innovations present in Hamlet?

2. What was Will’s response to the fact that Richard II was not well-received by Queen Elizabeth?

3. What Jewish character did Will create that plays a central role in his play The Merchant of Venice? What play did Christopher Marlowe write that is about a Jew?

4. Why did Will return to Stratford in the latter years of his life?

5. What were the provisions of Will’s will? What object did he leave to his wife?

6. What is Venus and Adonis? What is it about?

7. Why did Will not fit in with the prominent group of playwrights in London? How were they different from him?

8. Who was the Earl of Southampton? What impact did he have on Will’s career?

9. What happened to Will’s financial standing after the production of Hamlet? What was Will able to purchase for his family?

10. Why was Will’s removal of explained motivation for the actions of his characters important?

(see the answer keys)

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