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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. After fighting the giants, what happens to Erec once he has returned to Enide?

2. To whom does King Arthur trust the governing of England during his leave?

3. How does Thessala convince doctors that Fenice is incurably ill?

4. Who is the first son of the Emperor?

5. At King Arthur's court, what is the color of armor that Cliges wears on the third day of the tournament?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens after Erec faints after his fight with the giants in Erec and Enide? What does Enide think, and what happens to her?

2. How does Fenice allude to Tristan and Isolde in Cliges?

3. The story of Empress Fenice has had what consequences on future royalty, and why in Cliges?

4. Discuss the treatment towards Erec by the King when they meet again en route, in Erec and Enide.

5. In Cliges, what is the irony behind the golden hairs stitched into the shirt that Alexander receives from the Queen?

6. Briefly describe Erec's robe of watered silk in Erec and Enide.

7. How does Guivret prove his friendship towards Erec after being told Erec is dead, in Erec and Enide?

8. When and why is Alexander knighted, in Cliges?

9. In Cliges, Alexander and Alis make a pact. What is this pact, and what does the agreement of the pact say about Alis' character?

10. in Cliges, why does Alexander not want to become a knight in Greece?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All of the Arthurian Romances are told by a narrator. What sort of narrator is he? What kind of view (omniscient, limited, first person) does he have? What sort of voice does he have? Why is the narrator's voice so important to the telling of the tales? Is this narrator effective in doing his job? Who might the narrator be? Use specific examples to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

The second story in the Arthurian Romances is Cliges. 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) Discuss the demonstrations of treason and treachery that are found throughout Cliges. Explain what these terms mean and analyze each instance that is seen in the tale.

b) There are two tales of love told in Cliges. One between Alexander and Soredeamor, and the other between Cliges and Fenice. Compare and contrast the two relationships and what each tells the reader.

c) Cliges alludes to Tristan and Isolde a few times. Discuss these allusions and whether they are positive or negative. Why are these allusions present? Do research and compare and contrast the two stories as well.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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