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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. What does the abbess intend to do when she confronts the wayward nun?

2. How are Peronella and her lover surprised one afternoon?

3. How do Gualtieri and his wife get back together?

4. Why do the villagers look forward to the arrival of the monk from St. Anthony's monastery?

5. What do the two men who know Brother Onion plan to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Peronella turn the situation around and get her husband inside the barrel.

2. How are Caterina and Ricciardo found out?

3. What is the result of a man sneaking into an Abbess' cell after he has fallen in love with her?

4. What unusual thing causes Peronella and her lover to look for a place to hide him?

5. Describe the painters, Calandrino, Bruno, and Buffalmacco.

6. Explain how Peronella gets away with having a lover.

7. When Calandrino finds what he thinks are magic rocks, what do Bruno and Buffalmacco decide to do.

8. Explain the kind of work done by another ugly man by the name of Giotto di Bondone.

9. How does the affair between Caterina and Ricciardo work itself out?

10. When collecting alms from a nearby village, what does Brother Onion use to get the people to give freely?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, The Story I Most Enjoyed in THE DECAMERON. First summarize the story you liked best and then explain in detail why that particular story caught your fancy. Be sure to mention the literary qualities of the story that made it stand out in your mind.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, THE DECAMERON as an Early Example of the Modern Novel. In your essay point out how THE DECAMERON predates Chaucer's CANTERBURY TALES which is often credited as being the first modern novel. Discuss the format of THE DECAMERON and how you think it qualifies as a novel.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Why THE DECAMERON Should Be Required Reading. In your essay include the historic value of the book, the impact the book has had on modern novels, and the classic nature of the work. Discuss THE DECAMERON as a means of understanding the period of the Black Death in Europe and the attitude of living for today because tomorrow we may die. Conclude with why you think a reader is enriched by reading this particular work.

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This section contains 808 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample