English 205 -- Shakespeare
Fall 2009 -- Delahoyde
Washington State University
I. IDENTIFICATIONS. [Total 26 points.]
You know: identify who says, "Uncover, dogs, and lap!"; or fill in the blank: "I can find no rhyme to 'lady' but '____'" -- that kind of question, only a bit harder. This "merry war" will take place during the scheduled class period, Friday, September 25th. It is advisable that you convert all your sounds of woe into hey nonny nonny.
II. QUOTATIONS. [Total 50 points; answer 10 for 5 points each.]
A combination of identification and, more importantly, significance questions will follow quotations from Timon of Athens, Much Ado About Nothing, and perhaps other relevant materials, extracted for their representativeness of our discussions over key points during these first weeks. This is not trivial pursuit. If you have read the plays and paid attention in class, only a close review of notes is necessary for preparation. Otherwise, woe to thee, gleeking beef-witted knave; "I'll devise thee brave punishments."
III. TAKE-HOME ESSAY. [Total 24 points.]
Answer the following question thoroughly and precisely, to about two (2) pages, double-spaced. Answers should be virtuoso pieces of brilliance manifested in impressive eloquence, with facile reference to specifics from the Shakespearean texts, and with proper parenthetical in-text documentation.
Select a short quotation from one of the plays we've read together, avoiding the obvious, well-known examples. Then discuss the relevance, importance, or brilliance of this quotation in relation to both plays, and also beyond the realm of Shakespeare -- in terms of either your personal experience or your worldview.These essays are due at the start of class on exam day: Friday, September 25th, 11:10 am. They will be stapled to the back of the in-class portions of the exam. "Record it with your high and worthy deeds."
IDENTIFICATIONS
Identify the character or thing referred to (underlined) in the following.
"I can find out no rhyme to 'lady' but 'baby'...."
_________________________________
He "will to the woods, where he shall find
Th' unkindest beast more kinder than mankind."_________________________________
"I stand dishonor'd, that have gone about
To link my dear friend to a common stale."_________________________________
QUOTATIONS
Answer completely but concisely the following.
"[I]n the first part of the play [he] was a deluded and foolish man, and in the last half a wild and frenzied one. But he was a lover of truth and sincerity."The Shakespeare critic here is writing about whom? In what play?
Do you agree with this assessment, particularly the claim about truth?
"Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons...."
What is the linguistic term for the humor here?
Identify and correct the two examples in the sentence above. Identify who is speaking here.