Article Jul 07, 2025

Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama  Brief Suggestion (2021-22) Exam 2024

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Shihabur Rahaman
Contributor

Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama  Brief Suggestion (2021-22) Exam 2024

  • সবগুলোই পড়বেন। 
  • তবে খুবই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ৭১ টি ✪✪✪ দেওয়া হলো।
  • যেগুলো ব্রিফ বিগত সালের ওগুলো খুবই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। তবে ২০২৩ সালে আসা ব্রিফগুলো পড়বেন না। 
  • এই ব্রিফ সাজেশন যথেষ্ট। এগুলো পড়লেই ১০০% কমন থাকবে ইনশাআল্লাহ। 
 

Doctor Faustus

  • What is a morality play?
Ans: Morality Play is a sort of play that teaches moral lessons. 
  • What is the full title of “Doctor Faustus?” ✪✪✪ (NU. 2012)
Ans: The Tragicall History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus.
  • Who is Faustus? ✪✪✪
Ans: Faustus is the protagonist of the play “Doctor Faustus”. Historically, he is a black art professor who lives in Germany.
  • Who continuously urges Faustus to repent for his sins? (NU. 2023)
Ans. The Good Angel and the Old Man continuously urge Faustus to repent for his sins.
  • Why does Faustus wound his own arm during the play? (NU. 2023)
Ans. Faustus wounded his own arm to write a bond with Lucifer using his own blood.
  • What is the moral of 'Doctor Faustus'? (NU. 2014)
Ans: Man should not hanker after limitless power.
  • Who are the Good Angel and Evil Angel?
Ans: These Angels are nothing but the personification of Faustus’ internal conflict.
  • Who is Lucifer?
Ans. Satan’s proper name is Lucifer.
  • What is the relationship between Lucifer and Beelzebub?
Ans: Lucifer is the proper name of Satan, and Beelzebub is one of his officials.
  • What is the Chorus? ✪✪✪
Ans: In classical Greek drama, the chorus was a group of actors who commented upon the main action of a play through song, dance, and recitation.
  • "But now I die eternally"-Who is the speaker? (NU. 2019)
Ans. Faustus is the speaker. 
  • What is Carthage, and why is it famous for? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2014)
Ans: Carthage was an ancient city situated in North of Africa, famous for trade and strong force.
  • What do you know about the learning and birthplace of Dr Faustus?
Ans: Born in Germany, Faustus has acquired a profound knowledge of the branches of Divinity and Theology.
  • Who are the Seven Deadly Sins? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2012, 16, 18)
Ans: The Seven Deadly Sins include Pride, Covetousness, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, and Lechery. 
  • What is the Renaissance Spirit?  ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021) 
Ans: It is a vision that values the individual more than God.
  • Who is Mephistophilis? ✪✪✪  (NU. 2012, 20) 
Ans: He is Lucifer's servant.
  • Who are Dr Faustus's friends, and why does he want to see them? (NU. 2015, 21)
Ans: His friends are Valdes and Cornelius. Faustus desires to see them, thinking that they will help him learn necromancy.
  • What does the phrase “Achilles’ heal” mean? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2019)
Ans: This phrase refers to one’s weak point.
  • What is the one question that Mephistophilis refuses to answer?
Ans: “Who made the world? Now tell me, who made the world?”
  • Who are the University Wits? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2017; DU aff.- 2016)
Ans: They are late 16th-century English poet and playwrights, including Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, John Lyly, George Peele, Robert Greene, Thomas Nashe, and Thomas Lodge. 
  • What is necromancy? ✪✪✪ (DU aff.- 2017)
Ans: It is the practice of magic involving communication with the dead by summoning their spirits.
  • Why does Faustus decide to practice necromancy? ✪✪✪ (DU aff.- 2016)
Ans: To gain limitless power, wealth, knowledge, and authority for himself.
  • What is the Trinity? (NU. 2023) 
Ans. Trinity refers to the Christian concept of one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
  • For what period did Faustus sell his soul?
Ans: 24 years.
  • What is hell, according to Mephistophilis? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2022) 
Or, What is Mephistophilis’s idea of hell?

Ans. According to Mephistophilis, hell does not mean any particular place to which Lucifer and his followers have been confined. To him, hell means the loss of heaven.

  • What is a soliloquy? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2012, 15, 18; DU aff.- 2016)
Ans: Soliloquy means self-revelation. It is a dramatic device in which a character speaks to himself when he is alone on the stage.
  • Who is Icarus? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2012, 17)
Ans: In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of the master craftsman Daedalus, the architect of the labyrinth of Crete.
  • What do Faustus and Lucifer have in common? (NU. 2017)
Ans: Excessive pride. 
  • What is Renaissance? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2012, 17)
Ans. Renaissance means rebirth (Re=again; naissance=birth). It has been described as the birth of the modern world out of the ashes of the "Dark Ages."
  • What fault does Faustus find in medical science? (NU. 2022)
Ans. The fault Faustus finds in medical science is that it cannot make men immortal and raise the dead man to life.
  • What does Mephistophilis do when Faustus’s blood congeals?
Ans: Mephistophilis brings Faustus something hot to make his blood flow, and then Faustus goes on to finish signing the deal.
  • Why does Faustus’s blood congeal when he approaches to sign the bond?
Ans: His blood congeals because it does not support the pact.
  • Why does Mephistophilis object to Faustus’ marriage?
Ans: Marriage is considered to be a rule of the church. Faustus, being a follower of the Devil, should not think about anything connected to the church.
  • What inscription did Doctor Faustus notice on his arm just after signing the contract? ✪✪✪  (NU. 2013) 
Ans: Faustus notices the inscription on his arm "homo fuge" means 'O man, fly'.
  • Why is Faustus unable to repent and to seek God’s forgiveness?
Ans: His greed for overpowering knowledge overcomes this repentance, so he cannot believe that God favours him and has granted him salvation.
  • What hinders the singing of the contract between Dr. Faustus and Lucifer? (NU. 2020) 
Ans. Faustus's own blood hinders the signing of the contract.
  • What prevents Faustus from killing himself?
Ans: His desire for worldly pursuits prevents him from killing himself.
  • Why does Faustus want to be Paris?
Ans: Faustus wants to be Paris in order to become the lover of Helen, the destructive Greek beauty.
  • To whom, marriage is “a ceremonial toy?” (NU. 2013) 
Ans: Mephistophilis.
  • How does the old man try to stop Faustus from committing suicide?
Ans: The old man tells him that there is an angel hovering over his head, ready to bless him with God’s grace if only he appeals to God for mercy. 
  • In which field did Faustus obtain the doctorate? (NU. 2013) 
Ans: Theology.
  • Who had waxen wings? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2014) 
Ans: Icarus had waxen wings.
  • In how many days did Faustus visit the universe?
Ans: In eight days.
  • Which period of English literature did Christopher Marlowe belong to? (NU. 2014, 19)
Ans: Elizabethan Period (1558-1603).
  • Why does Faustus sell his horse? ✪✪✪ (DU aff.- 2018)
Ans: Because he wants to walk on foot through the lovely green spot.
  • What warnings does Faustus provide to the horse dealer?
Ans: Faustus warns the dealer not to ride the horse in the water because, in water, it will vanish into nothingness and turn into a bundle of hay.
  • Who is Helen? ✪✪✪
Ans: According to the Scholars, Helen of Troy, in Greek legend, is the most beautiful woman of Greece and the indirect cause of the Trojan War. 
  • What does Faustus think when he kisses Helen?
Ans: He thinks that this kiss will make him immortal.
  • Who is Wagner? (NU. 2016)
Ans. Wagner is the servant to Faustus. 

 

Macbeth

  • What is Inverness? (NU. 2016)/ What is the name of Macbeth's castle? (NU. 2022)
Ans. Inverness is the name of Macbeth's castle.
  • What is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
Ans: Macbeth is the play's protagonist, and Lady Macbeth is his wife.
  • Who are the three witches? ✪✪✪
Ans: Representing evil, darkness, chaos, and conflict, the Three Witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, plot against Macbeth using spells and prophecies. 
  1. Who was Hecate?
Ans- Hecate is the Goddess of witchcraft.
  • How do the three witches greet Macbeth? (NU. 2020, 23)
Ans: They greet Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and as the future King.
  1. Who is Macduff?
Ans: Macduff is a general in Duncan’s army. His wife and son were killed by Macbeth’s men, and eventually he was able to slay Macbeth. 
  • On what pretext does Lady Macbeth refuse to kill Duncan? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2020)
Ans: Lady Macbeth refuses to kill Duncan because he looks like her father sleeping there.
  • What is the cause of Lady Macbeth's madness? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans: Her guilt over her crimes causes Lady Macbeth’s madness.
  1. What does Lady Macbeth pray to the spirits when she hears the approaching of Duncan? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans. She wants to be filled with cruelty, given a hard heart, and the thick blood necessary to do what has to be done in order to make Macbeth king.
  • "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"- What is meant here?
Ans: What is considered good is, in fact, wrong, and what is considered bad is actually good.
  • Who was Duncan? ✪✪✪
Ans: Duncan, a fictitious character, was the excellent King of Scotland.
  • Who was Malcolm?
Ans: Malcolm was King Duncan's oldest son,  the heir to the throne, and brother to Donalbain.
  • What does the phrase ‘the milk of human kindness’ mean? ✪✪✪ (DU aff.- 2018)
Ans: Gentleness of human nature. 
  1. Why does Lady Macbeth wish to drive away her feminine qualities? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2022)
Ans. Lady Macbeth wishes to drive away feminine qualities so that she can execute her design of putting an end to Duncan's life.
  • What is Golgotha?
Ans: Golgotha was the place where Christ was hanged on the cross.
  • What does the phrase 'the milk of human kindness' mean? 
Ans: The gentleness of human nature.
  • What does Macbeth do with the daggers after the murder?
Ans: After Macbeth murders King Duncan, he takes the daggers to his wife instead of leaving them with the guards.
  • What figure of speech do you find in "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2013; DU aff.- 2017)
Ans: Alliteration & Assonance, and Paradox. 
  • What was Duncan's gift to Lady Macbeth? (NU. 2014)
Ans: A precious Diamond. 
  • Where did the three witches meet? (NU. 2016; DU aff.- 2017)
Ans: On the heath (marshes).
  • What is Macbeth's tragic flaw?  ✪✪✪ (NU. 2013, 17; DU aff.- 2018)
Ans: His high ambition.
  • "All the perfumes of Arabia Will not sweeten this little hand."- Who is the speaker? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2018)
Ans: Lady Macbeth spoke this hyperbolic line. 
  • Who is the peerless dame of Greece?  ✪✪✪ (NU. 2012, 16, 18)
Ans: "The peerless dame of Greece" is Helen, the wife of Menelaus.
  • Who utters, “Fair is foul and foul is fair?” ✪✪✪ (NU. 2019)
Ans: The Witches say, “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
  • Who kills Macbeth? (NU. 2015, 17, 19, 23)
Ans: Macduff kills Macbeth. 
  • Name the sons of King Duncan. (NU. 2019, 23)
Ans: Malcolm and Donalbain were Duncan's sons.
  1. How do the three witches address Macbeth? (NU. 2014, 18, 20, 23)
Ans. They greet him as “Thane of Glamis, “Thane of Cawdor, and King hereafter” (future king).
  • Why does Lady Macbeth faint? ✪✪✪ (DU aff.- 2018)
Ans: In an attempt to distract Macduff from her husband's inadequate reasoning, Lady Macbeth pretends to faint.
  1. Who is Bellona's bridegroom? (NU. 2022)
Ans. Macbeth is described as "Bellona's bridegroom".
  • What does Lady Macbeth’s fainting signify?
Ans: Lady Macbeth’s fainting signifies that she is completely shocked that the king has been murdered. 
  1. What three things does Macbeth learn from the witches and apparitions? Ans. Three things: he should fear Macduff, he should not fear any man born of a woman, and nothing will affect his reign until Birnam Wood moves.
  2. Complete the gap in the following statement: "It is a tale—-- full of sound and fury" (NU. 2013)
Ans: "It is a tale told by an Idiot, full of sound and fury”.

 

The Merchant of Venice

  • What kind of play is “The Merchant of Venice?” ✪✪✪
Ans: A romantic comedy.
  • What is Belmont? ✪✪✪
Ans: A fictitious city in Venice, Italy.
  • How does Portia's father condition her marriage?
Ans: The men must select one of three caskets: one made of gold, one of silver, and one of lead. One of the caskets contains a portrait of Portia, and whoever chooses it will marry her.
  1. Which religion does Shylock follow in The Merchant of Venice? (NU. 2023)
Ans. Shylock is a Jew.
  1. How is Shylock punished for his demands in court? (NU. 2023)
Ans. He loses his wealth and is forced to convert to Christianity.
  • What was inscribed on the silver casket?
Ans: “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
  • Which casket contained Portia's picture?
Ans: Only the leaden casket contained Portia's picture.
  • What was engraved on the leaden casket?
Ans: “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath”. 
  • What has been reported about to the ships of Antonio?
Ans: All ships of Antonio are reported to have been lost in the storm of the sea.
  • What is the “Trial Scene?” ✪✪✪
Ans: The trial scene is the critical perspective in the play. Antonio is trialled in the court of the Duke because he has failed to repay the debt which he had taken from Shylock. According to the condition, he can cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body.
  1. Why was Portia compared to Daniel? (NU. 2022)
Ans. Portia was compared to Daniel because of her wisdom and fairness in the courtroom scene.
  1. How did Antonio express his hatred towards Shylock? (NU. 2022)
Ans. Antonio expressed his hatred towards Shylock by calling him a dog in the public.
  • Why does the Duke delay the judgement in the Merchant of Venice? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans: The duke declares that he is waiting for a certain "Bellario, a learned doctor," to arrive from Padua before he makes a final decision concerning this case.
  • What was inscribed on the golden casket? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans: “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
  • What does Portia (disguised as a doctor of Laws) speak about mercy? Or, what does the lawyer describe the quality of mercy?
Ans: Her speech extols the power of mercy, "an attribute to God Himself."
  • Who is the hero of the play “The Merchant of Venice?”
Ans: Antonio. 
  • What is Shylock by religion?  (NU. 2023)
Ans: He is a Jew. 
  • "Give me my principals and let me go." Who made this remark? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2018)
Ans: Shylock.
  • Why does Portia disguise herself as a lawyer? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2019; DU aff.- 2017)
Ans: Portia saves Antonio by disguising herself as a lawyer and defending him in court.
  • What happened to Shylock at the end of the suit? (NU. 2020, 23)
Ans: Shylock is left empty of his daughter, his property, and his religion.
  • Why does Shylock hate Antonio? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2020)
Ans: Shylock hates Antonio because he is a Christian and lends money to people without charging excessive interest.
  • Who is Bassanio? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2017)
Ans: Bassanio is the hero of the casket story. He is Antonio's most intimate friend and Portia's husband.
  • Why does Bassanio want to marry Portia? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2016)
Ans: To regain his fortune.
  1. Who is Portia? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2017)
Ans. Portia is the central character of the play, The Merchant of Venice.
  • Who is actually Dr. Balthazar? 
Ans: The young Dr. Balthazar is no other than the young lady Portia, who comes to the court in the dress of a doctor of law. 
  1. What is the agreement between Shylock and Antonio? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans. Shylock will pay Antonio three thousand ducats on condition that Shylock will take a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio's body in case of his failure to repay the loan in time.
  1. Why did Shylock break the agreement with Antonio? (NU. 2016, 18)
Ans. As it was impossible for Shylock to cut one pound of flesh, nor more or less, without shedding any blood, he broke the agreement with Antonio. 

 

Volpone

  • Who is Volpone? ✪✪✪
Ans: Volpone (The Fox) is a Venetian gentleman who pretends to be on his deathbed after a long illness to dupe Voltore (The Vulture), Corbaccio (The Raven), and Corvino (The Crow), three men who aspire to inherit his fortune.
  • What is an epistle? (NU. 2012)
Ans: An epistle is a formal or didactic letter sent to a person or a group of people.
  • Why does Volpone feign illness? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2022)
Ans. Volpone feigns illness to attract legacy hunters.
  • What beasts do the legacy hunters stand for? (NU. 2022)
Ans. Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino are the three legacy hunters in Volpone. Voltore stands for vulture, Corbaccio stands for raven, and Corvino stands for crow.
  • Who is Mosca?
Ans: Mosca (the gadfly) is a parasite; this bestiary name encompasses the superficial character of Volpone's servant
  • Who is Bonario?
Ans: Bonario is "a young Gentleman, son of Corbaccio."
  • Who is Celia?
Ans: Celia is the wife of the Merchant, Corvino.
  • What is the aim of satire? (NU. 2012)
Ans: Improve humanity by criticizing social follies and faults.
  • What is the comedy of Humour?  ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans: Comedy of Humour is a type of comedic play that explores the idea of characters being dominated by a particular “humour” or temperament.
  • How does Ben Jonson express his aim of writing in the prologue to Volpone? (NU. 2021) 
Ans: The Prologue expresses Jonson's hope that the play will be both entertaining and enlightening.
  • What is a prologue in a play? (NU. 2016)
Ans. A prologue is the beginning part of a play or any literary work.
  • Why is Volpone ordered to be whipped?
Ans: When Volpone insists that he is not dead, in direct contradiction to Mosca, he is taken away to be whipped for his lie.
  • What is Mosca's punishment? 
Ans: Mosca is to be whipped first and then sent as a galley slave.
  • Who are the members of Volpone's house? (NU. 2012)
Ans: Nano, Castrone, Androgyne, Mosca, and Volpone
  • What does the name Voltore mean? (NU. 2012)
Ans: Voltore means vulture.
  • What does the name 'Volpone' mean? / From what animal does the play Volpone take its name? (NU. 2015, 16)
Ans: Volpone means fox.
  • What is the sub-title of the play Volpone? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2013, 15, 17)
Ans: The Fox
  • What gift does Voltore bring for Volpone? (NU. 2014, 16, 18, 20, 23)
Ans: Voltore brought a considerable gold plate engraved with Volpone's name and arms as a gift.
  • What type of comedy is "Volpone'? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2014, 18)
Ans: Volpone is a comedy of humours.
  • What is comedy of humours? (NU. 2021)
Ans. A comedy of humours refers to a type of drama that focuses on characters, each character representing a type of personality. 
  • Who are the legacy hunters in 'Volpone? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2015, 17, 19)
Ans: Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino are the three legacy hunters.
  • What is Corvino by profession? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2019)
Ans: Corvino is "a Merchant" by profession.
  • Why does Mosca suggest suicide? (NU. 2019)
Ans: Mosca suggests suicide to escape dishonour.
  • What is the profession that Volpone particularly admires or enjoys? (NU. 2023)
Ans. He enjoys pretending to be a dying rich man to deceive greedy legacy hunters.
  • Name the good characters in 'Volpone'. ✪✪✪ (NU. 2020)
Ans: Bonario and Celia are the only two good characters in Volpone.
  • How is Volpone punished at last?  ✪✪✪ (NU. 2020)
Ans: At last, Volpone is ordered to be imprisoned and in chains while his property is confiscated and given to the hospitals for the incurables.
  • What is the name of Volpone's panacea?
Ans: Oglio del Scoto.
  • How did Volpone earn his wealth? Ans. By cunning robbing from legacy hunters.
  • How does Mosca earn his livelihood? 
Ans: Mosca earns his livelihood by flattering his patron and by servile behaviour.
  • How does Volpone try to seduce Celia? ✪✪✪
Ans: Volpone offers her jewels and wealth to seduce her. 
  • What does Mosca's name mean? ✪✪✪
Ans: Mosca's name means the fly.
  • What does Corbaccio offer to give Volpone?
Ans: Corbaccio offers to give Volpone, a sleep-inducing drug.
  • Who is the blazing star of Italy? ✪✪✪
Ans: According to Mosca, Celia is Italy's blazing star.
  • What is a mountebank?
Ans: A person who deceives others, especially in order to trick them out of their money; a charlatan.
  • When does Volpone reveal his true identity to the court? 
Ans. When the judges ask Volpone in the guise of the commentators to be whipped for his insolent lie, Volpone finds himself in a desperate situation and throws off his disguise, and reveals his true identity. 

 

The Duchess of Malfi

  • What is the original name of the play “The Duchess of Malfi?” ✪✪✪ (NU. 2019)
Ans: The Tragedy of the Dutchess of Malfy. 
  • Who is Bosola? ✪✪✪
Ans: Bosola, the villain in The Duchess of Malfi. 
  • What is Malfi?
Ans: Malfi is a dukedom in Italy.
  1. Who says, “I am a tomb maker”? (NU. 2022)
Ans. Bosola says. "I am a tomb maker."
  1. What do you mean by 'decadent play'? (NU. 2022)
Ans. A decadent play typically refers to a work of drama that embodies the characteristics of decadence. It usually describes a period of art or literature in comparison with the excellence of the former age.
  • Whom do the madmen include?
Ans: The madmen include a mad lawyer, a secular priest, a doctor, an astrologer, and a crazed English tailor.
  • Why did Bosola give some apricots to the Duchess? (NU. 2013, 16, 18, 20)
Ans. Bosola gives the Duchess some apricots to be sure whether she is pregnant or not.
  • Why does Ferdinand visit the Duchess in a dark room? (NU. 2020)
Ans: Because he has vowed never to see her again.
  • Who was Tantalus? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans: In Greek legend, Tantalus was the son of Zeus or Tmolus (a ruler of Lydia) and the nymph or Titaness Pluto (Plouto) and the father of Niobe and Pelops. He was a mighty king of Sipylus, an ancient kingdom near present-day Lydia.
  • With what are Cardinal and Ferdinand compared by Bosola? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans: Plum trees that are rich in fruit.
  1. What was the name of the Cardinal historically? (NU. 2019)
Ans. Historically, the name of the Cardinal was Luigi or Lodovico.
  1. Whose ring does the Duchess give to Antonio? (NU. 2020)
Ans. The Duchess gives him the ring that her (first) husband gave her at the time of her wedding.
  • Why does Ferdinand pretend to sleep in the court of law? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2021)
Ans: Ferdinand pretends to sleep in the law court so that offenders may become careless in their statements. 
  • Who arrests the Duchess? ✪✪✪
Ans: Bosola arrests the Duchess in disguise, wearing a mask on his face.
  • Who has made the wax figures of Antonio and his children?
Ans: Vincentio Lauriola has made wax figures for Antonio and his children.
  • Mention the literary period of John Webster. (NU. 2013)
Ans: Jacobean Period (1603-1625).
  • Who is Cariola? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2015)
Ans: Cariola is the Duchess's maid and confidant.
  • How does Cariola die?
Ans: Cariola dies tragically by strangling. 
  • What is Ancona? (NU. 2017)
Ans: Ancona is a city-state in Italy.
  • Who witnesses the Duchess' remarriage? (NU. 2017)
Ans: Cariola.
  • What was the parting request from the Duchess to Cariola? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2014, 18)
Ans: The parting request from the Duchess to Cariola is to take care of her children.
  • What kind of play is "The Duchess of Malfi"? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2015, 18)
Ans: The Duchess of Malfi is a tragedy.
  • What is melodrama? ✪✪✪ (DU aff. 2016)
Ans: Melodrama is a dramatic work where events, plots, and characters are sensationalized to produce strong emotional reactions from the audience.
  • Who was the Duke of Calabria? (NU. 2023)
Ans: Ferdinand was the Duke of Calabria.
  • Why does Ferdinand offer gold to Bosola?
Ans: Ferdinand offers Bosola gold to carry out his orders and do what he wants him to do.
  • What reasons do Ferdinand and the Cardinal put forth against the Duchess's second marriage?
Ans: Her brothers, Ferdinand and the Cardinal, forbid her from remarrying, seeking to defend their inheritance and to avoid a degrading association with a social inferior. 
  1. Why does Ferdinand visit the Duchess in a dark room? ✪✪✪ (NU. 2020)
Ans. Ferdinand visits the Duchess in a darkened room because he has vowed never to see her again and places in her hand a dead man's hand that she will assume to be Antonio's.
  • Why does Ferdinand show the Duchess his father's dagger?
Ans: Ferdinand shows the Duchess his father's dagger to threaten her that he will use it if she does not keep her lust under control.
  • What had the Duchess vowed about the ring?
Ans: The Duchess had never vowed to give the ring to anybody except her second husband.
  1. How does the Cardinal bring about Julia's death in the play?
Ans. He poisons her with a poisoned Bible.
  1. What is Antonio's conception of marriage? (NU. 2022)
Ans. Antonio believes that marriage brings either complete happiness or absolute misery.
  1. What message does Delio give the audience in his last words? (NU. 2016)
Ans. In his last words, Delio gives the message to the audience that integrity is the best friend of reputation; integrity is rewarded even after death.
  • How does Bosola become sure that the Duchess is pregnant? ✪✪✪
Ans: When Bosola gives her some apricots, she eats them very greedily. Then they make her stomach feel uneasy. It makes her feel sick. This proves that the Duchess is pregnant. 
  • What is apricot? ✪✪✪
Ans: Apricot is a fruit.
  1. Where is the Duchess buried?
Ans. The Duchess is buried next to the Cardinal’s house.
  • How does Bosola get the child's horoscope?
Ans: After Bosola and Antonio fight, Antonio flees, dropping the child's horoscope by mistake, and Bosola gets it.
  • How many children did the Duchess give birth to? ✪✪✪
Ans: The Duchess gave birth to three children, two sons and a daughter.
  •  How does Ferdinand react to the news of the Duchess’ childbirth?
Ans: Hearing the news, he goes crazy, angrily curses the Duchess, and brashly describes her as a strumpet.

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