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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. Describe Queen Elizabeth’s reaction to Richard II.

2. Where was Will’s family living while he was in London?

3. Which is NOT a description of Will?

4. What relationship forms the basis of human interactions in several of Will’s works in his latter days?

5. What is thought to have been the motivation behind Will’s bequeathment of his second-best bed to his wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the prominent group of playwrights in London during Will’s day. Name two of the members of this group.

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

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

4. Describe why Will’s play Richard II was not well-received by Queen Elizabeth.

5. What was the Globe? What was its significance? Why was it moved to another location?

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

7. Who defended Will and his work after the criticism voiced by Robert Greene? Why might this person have defended Will?

8. In Chapter 10, the author discusses a personal tragedy that occurred in Will’s life. What was this tragedy? Where did Will go after this tragedy occurred?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the different locations in which Will lived throughout his life. In what specific towns or cities did Will live? What were some similarities and differences that these locations had with one another? What is one specific impact that each location had on Will’s career?

Essay Topic 2

Define the environment of Will’s early years. What are some specifics of his early education? What is the town like in which he grew up? What impact did his education and the atmosphere of his town have on his theatrical works?

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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