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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. Why does Kay fight Erec even though they know each other?

2. Who says "The lady is mine, and I am hers. I shall do with her what I wish," and to whom is he referring?

3. Who does Queen Guinevere send first to discover the identity of the maiden who rides with a knight and a dwarf?

4. Where does Cliges take Fenice's "dead" body?

5. Where does Alexander want to travel to?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Give a brief description of the knight, Erec, from Erec and Enide.

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

4. What is the sparrowhawk contest in Erec and Enide?

5. What advice of his father's does Cliges follow?

6. What foreshadows the eventual discovery of the two secret lovers in Cliges?

7. Why do Erec and Enide leave King Arthur's court?

8. How does Enide convince the count who wants to marry her to not kill Erec after he implores her to leave him?

9. Why does Erec chase after the knight, the maiden, and the dwarf in Erec and Enide?

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

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

Explore the concept of what an Epic Romance or Medieval Romance is. What does it mean? What is a "romance"? How is it considered epic? What are the rules for a tale to be considered a romance? How is the definition of a Medieval Romance different from the term "romance" as it is used today?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of women in the Arthurian Romances? Are there different roles? Who are the main female characters, and what do they do? What is their significance, and how do they affect the plot line? What was the role of women in medieval times, and is it accurately portrayed in the tales? Use specific examples to support your claims.

(see the answer keys)

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