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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. Which of these is a writing technique that Will used in writing Hamlet?
(a) Alliteration
(b) Intentional forgetfulness of characters
(c) Rewriting of an earlier play
(d) Group writing

2. In which play did Will NOT poke fun at the members of the prominent group of playwrights in London during his day?
(a) Twelfth Night
(b) King Lear
(c) Hamlet
(d) The Merry Wives of Windsor

3. What name was given to Will’s troupe during the reign of King James?
(a) The Queen's Men
(b) The Court's Men
(c) The King's Men
(d) The Earl's Pride

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

5. Which of these was a prominent playwright within the theater community of Will’s day?
(a) Sir Thomas Lucy
(b) Christopher Marlowe
(c) Richard Field
(d) Edmund Campion

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of Will’s characters in Macbeth was a reinvention of one of King James’ ancestors?

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

3. Which best describes the theme of Venus and Adonis?

4. During the production of which of Will’s plays did the Globe Theater burn down?

5. Describe Will’s relationship with the prominent group of playwrights in London during his day.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Which character did Will create that seemed to be a reflection of his experiences with both Christopher Marlowe and Robert Greene? What is one trait of this character?

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

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

5. When did Will die? Where was he buried?

6. Chapter 9 describes how Queen Elizabeth’s doctor was executed publicly. How did the watching crowd respond? How did this response affect Will’s later works?

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

8. Describe Will’s relationship with the Earl of Southampton.

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

10. In what ways were Christopher Marlowe and Will similar?

(see the answer keys)

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