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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. In which of Will’s plays are husbands portrayed as neglecting their wives?

2. Which of the following was NOT a difference between Will and his wife?

3. What play did Will likely see upon his arrival in London?

4. In Chapter 3, what occupation is presented as one that Will might have done while living in Lancashire?

5. What characteristic of Campion might have hindered Will’s future work in theater?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was Will’s wife? What was her financial standing? What religious preference did she likely have?

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

3. Describe the school environment in which Will was educated. What things were unique about his education?

4. In Will’s day, what was London like inside the ancient Roman wall that surrounded the city? What was London like outside that same wall?

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

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

7. Describe the political climate in London during Will’s day. How were “traitors” treated?

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

9. 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.

10. What was the character of John Shakespeare? Was he an upstanding citizen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Robert Greene and his feelings towards Will. Who exactly was Robert Greene? What was his position in London society? How did he know about Will? What were Greene’s feelings towards Will? What did he do to express those feelings?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the religious and political climate of England in Will’s day. How were religion and politics related? Was there complete freedom in religion and politics? Why or why not? Give two specific examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Define some main themes of Will’s works. What are two main themes that are consistently seen throughout Will’s theatrical works? Why, in your opinion, does he choose each of these themes? What might have influenced him in selecting these themes? List a play that exemplifies each of the themes you have chosen to discuss.

(see the answer keys)

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