Exam Review

Two hours long15% of your FINAL mark

“Hamlet” 70ptsNovel Unit 30 pts

English 122 Exam Review

1. “Hamlet” Significant Speech – multiple choice questions. This will be a significant passage, so think about what is a likely choice. Also, review terms (imagery, allusion, figures of speech, tone, mood, themes, time period, Great Chain of Being, atmosphere, soliloquy, foil characters, misogyny, tragedy, etc…)

“Hamlet” Multiple Choice

– 25 multiple choice questions: you are looking for themes, motifs, symbolic characters, symbolic events, belief systems (of the characters or of the audience).

– Review what is important to the play, to the time period; what insight it gives us into a theme, into character development, into Shakespeare’s intent, etc…

– Study your questions/answers, notes on significant speeches; online sources are sometimes a nice review.

Essay

• Write a solid 5-paragraph essay. Consider the likely topics and give them some thought.

• My advice is that you take 5 minutes and write a quick outline.

• Write with deliberation – thesis, transitions, solidly-supported paragraphs, conclusion.

Speeches

There will be 5 speeches and you will need to answer the questions that follow. They will center around plot, themes, time period, character development, (you know the drill).

Example• KING CLAUDIUS

Sweet Gertrude, leave us too;For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,That he, as 'twere by accident, may hereAffront Ophelia:Her father and myself, lawful espials,Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing, unseen,We may of their encounter frankly judge,And gather by him, as he is behaved,If 't be the affliction of his love or noThat thus he suffers for.

QUEEN GERTRUDE I shall obey you.

1. What does Claudius mean by “lawful espials”?2. Identify one theme (that is obvious through this exchange.3. What can the audience assume about Gertrude through this exchange?

Speeches ROSENCRANTZ

Take you me for a sponge, my lord?

HAMLET Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, hisrewards, his authorities. But such officers do theking best service in the end: he keeps them, likean ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, tobe last swallowed: when he needs what you havegleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, youshall be dry again.

• Is Hamlet’s metaphor (for Rosencrantz) appropriate? Explain your opinion.

• Identify the second figure of speech Hamlet uses to characterize Rosencrantz purpose to the king.

• Briefly explain how the relationship between Rosencrantz & Claudius gives the audience insight into the hierarchical system of Shakespeare’s day.

Literary Theories

1. Be able to give the major characteristics of each theory, through multiple choice, matching or fill-in-the-blanks.

2. As we practiced in class, be able to respond to a reading through the lens of two of the theories. – One paragraph for each. Use direct quotes from the

reading to support your points.– Be deliberate in your paragraph writing: intro with

key words, title, author, identification of two pertinent theories. GOOD choices, good support; evidence of insight and understanding. Conclude (in the last line or two of your second paragraph).

Good Luck!

• Good Luck! I know you will do great: it’s a fair exam and you have done well with these two units.

• That said, prepare & review, and be mindful of time and values as you write.

• I’ve really enjoyed the grads of 2010. Best of luck with your BRIGHT future and come visit.