English 205 -- Fall 2009
Washington State University

I. IDENTIFICATIONS. [Total 26 points.] ("Tedious and brief?")

Short identification questions from Othello and A Midsummer Night's Dream may ask who says "I hate the Moor"; or fill in the blank: "Put out the light, and then put out the ____" -- that kind of question, only a bit harder. The scheduled class period is Wednesday, October 21st.

II. QUOTATIONS. [Total 50 points.] ("Merry and tragical?")

A combination of identification and, more importantly, significance questions will follow quotations from the plays and other relevant materials, extracted for their representativeness of our discussions over key points during these middle 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. My web notes may be of use also. Sing Willow Willow Willow, Willow Willow Willow Willow.

III. TAKE-HOME ESSAY. [Total 24 points.] ("Hot ice.")

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.

What's new?

[That is, describe your frame of mind about Shakespeare and your expectations regarding a university Shakespeare course before this semester began (or, if you had taken one already, then before that class). What facet of Shakespeare, emerging since the start of this semester has changed or modified your prior impression of this field of study? How has Shakespeare and/or this semester so far met or defied your expectations, and what is the significance of this experience? I'm not looking for an early course evaluation here, nor flattery, but rather a reflective moment on the critical thinking component of this portion of your educational experience at WSU while it is, ideally, happening.]

IDENTIFICATIONS
Identify the character or thing referred to (underlined) in the following.

• "Methought I was enamor'd of an ass."
• "And, my gracious Duke, / This man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child."
• "I am to discourse wonders; but ask me not what; for if I tell you, I am no true Athenian."
• "the beast with two backs."
• "Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite / Call'd Robin Goodfellow."
• "I say put money in thy purse."

QUOTATIONS
Answer completely but concisely the following.

"The lunatic, the lover and the poet
Are of imagination all compact....
And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen
Turns them to shapes, and gives to aery nothing
A local habitation and a name."

Name the play and the character speaking.
How is this definition of "imagination" or of poetry inadequate?

* * *

"Tush."

What play begins with this word? Who is speaking it?
How is this first word appropriate thematically to the play?

* * *

"Thou toldst me they were stol'n unto this wood;
And here am I, and wode within this wood...."

Explain the pun (the three meanings of wood/wode in this play).
For what literary genre (beyond "play") is this a typical setting,
and what state of mind does this setting signify?

* * *

"If we offend, it is with our good will.
That you should think, we come not to offend,
But with good will. To show our simple skill,
That is the true beginning of our end.
Consider then we come but in despite."

Explain why this introduction sounds so offensive.
What does this joke tell us about Shakespeare's literary intentions?