View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the river in Ireland that Bendigeidfran helps his troops to cross?

2. What town was Pwyll and Rhiannon's son born in?

3. Which sub-division of the tales are considered to be the most recently written?

4. Which of the tales should correctly be called "The Mabinogion"?

5. Who accuses Rhiannon of the murder?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Elen insist on after the messengers salute her as Empress of Rome?

2. What action of Pwyll's during his year in the Otherworld impresses Arawn as an example of virtue?

3. What happens to Branwen after the battle?

4. Why does Teyrnon decide to take Gwri to the court of Pwyll?

5. How do Bendigeidfran and his brothers know that the Irish ships are coming in peace?

6. What does Macsen see in his dream beside the river?

7. What are onomastic tales?

8. What does Pwyll do that insults or offends Arawn?

9. Why, according to the tale, do the warriors of Cynan decide to cut out the tongues of the women?

10. How does Math react to the news that Goewin has been raped?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the stories that follow the folk-tale motif of the Ill-treated Wife. For each, explain why the woman in question receives ill treatment, what she does about the treatment and how her story is resolved. Your answer should deal with the stories of the following women:

(a) Branwen (Branwen daughter of Llyr)

(b) Rhiannon (Pwyll Prince of Dyfed)

(c) Enid (Gereint son of Erbin)

Essay Topic 2

Family relationships seem to play an important role in the tales in The Mabinogion. Choose three of the family groups below and describe the relationship that exists between them in detail. For each, state how the relationship helps progress the plot of the tale. Choose from:

(a) Culhwch and Arthur

(b) Pryderi and Manawydan

(c) Branwen, Bendigeidfran and Efnisien

(d) Gwydion, Aranrhod and Lleu Llaw Gyffes

Essay Topic 3

The Mabinogion contains numerous examples of onomastic tales. Choose three places from the list below and for each, explain the following:

(1) How, according to the tale they appear in, the place earned its name

(2) How important the incident is in the plot of the tale in which it appears.

Choose from:

(a) Talebolion (Branwen daughter of Llyr)

(b) Llydaw (The Dream of Macsen Wledig)

(c) Caer Fyrddin (The Dream of Macsen Wledig)

(d) Creuwyron (Math son of Mathonwy)

(e) Caer Llud (Llud and Llefelys)

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 733 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample