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E211: British Literature to 1760 Wakefield Master Study Questions Alfred J. Drake | 423 UH | TW 12:45-1:45 | ajdrake@ajdrake.com The Second Shepherds' Play 1. What makes the Shepherds realistic characters? For instance, what sorts of things do they complain about? What lies at the bottom of their several complaints? 2. What is the relationship between Daw and his masters Coll and Gib? Do they get along well? 3. What is the significance of the harsh weather? 4. What makes the Shepherds suspicious of Mak from the outset? What does he complain about? Is he "just Mak," or does he stand for something larger than himself? 5. How does Mak manage to steal the sheep? 6. How does Mak's plan to hide his stolen sheep turn out to be a blasphemous parody of both the Nativity and the Incarnation? (Look up these terms if they are not clear to you.) 7. Why do the Shepherds return to Mak's home? And why do they decide to show him mercy? What is the theological point of such mercy; what does it allow to happen? Edition: Abrams, M.H. et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Vols. 1A, 1B, 1C. 7th. edition. |