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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the midst of searching for Lancelot, why do Sir Gawain, Kay, and the other knights return to King Arthur's court?

2. What is the quickest way to Meleagant's lands?

3. While fighting in the tournament in disguise, why does Lancelot flee from blows and avoid battle?

4. In The Knight of the Cart, where does King Arthur hold court?

5. Whose assistance does the younger daughter seek?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are two ways that Yvain shows his love for Laudine?

2. How is Lunete's identity foreshadowed when Yvain comes across her as a prisoner?

3. In the beginning of The Knight with the Lion, Calogrenant's declaration that he will tell a tale of his dishonor foreshadows what?

4. What shame follows Lancelot throughout his adventures in The Knight of the Cart?

5. Why does Yvain go in search of the spring?

6. What are a few examples of Lancelot's demonstrating his love for the Queen in The Knight of the Cart?

7. What indicates Yvain's fame?

8. What actions of Lancelot's in The Knight of the Cart are considered shameful, and why?

9. What is the irony of King Bademagu keeping the Queen safely confined in The Knight of the Cart?

10. Describe what can be understood of Calogrenant and Kay's characters when they see the Queen in The Knight with the Lion.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The first story in the Arthurian Romances is Erec and Enide. Choose one of the following topics to discuss in regards to the tale. Be sure to use specific examples from the text and use additional outside research where necessary to completely answer the questions.

a) Can Erec and Enide be considered a love story? Why or why not? What sets it apart from other tales of love written in literature?

b) Erec and Enide is said to closely parallel the Welsh story "Mabinogian: Gereint Son of Erbin." Research this tale and compare and contrast it to Erec and Enide. Which was written first? What message does each story deliver? If it's the same message, which does it more effectively?

c) Discuss Erec as the main character and his relationships with others. What do these relationships tell us about him, and what is his personality like? Does he remain the same throughout or does he change? How do you know?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Chretien de Troyes and why did he start writing Arthurian romances? Where did he get his ideas and what new ideas or characters is he credited with? Research the author's life and give a historical background, tying it in with his contribution to the legends through his romances. Be sure to include the importance of his creation of Lancelot and the Lancelot-Guinevere relationship. Have others used his works and characters and built on them, writing their own versions?

Essay Topic 3

Although called Arthurian Romances, King Arthur himself plays a very minor role in the stories, as does Queen Guinevere. Discuss their appearances in the five tales and how they differ or are the same. Analyze each character and their relationships with one another.

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