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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. What phrase best describes the Earl of Southampton?

2. To whom did Will leave all of his property in his will?

3. Which of these is a writing technique that Will used in writing Hamlet?

4. What was the watching public’s response to the execution of Queen Elizabeth’s personal doctor?

5. What was the name of Christopher Marlowe’s play that was about a Jew?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What are two main innovations present in Hamlet?

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

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

7. What great tragedy did Will write in the latter part of his life that centered around a father-daughter relationship?

8. 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?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the attitude in England regarding religious freedom. Was there religious freedom? Which faith was persecuted? Which faith was preferred? What was the fate of those who did not comply with the preferred religious preferences? How did this tension impact Will’s life?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the Globe Theater and its importance in Will’s career. Where was the Globe located? Why was it such an important theater? What was Will’s commitment to the Globe? How was this demonstrated?

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