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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 is discovered to happen to any man who goes in search of the Joy of the Court?

2. When Erec awakens, what does he do?

3. Who kidnaps Fenice?

4. What custom does King Arthur wish to revive?

5. After leaving King Arthur a second time, who do Erec and Enide come across and why is she distressed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the initial attraction and relationship between Alexander and Soredamour, in Cliges.

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

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

4. What does Erec discover is the Joy of the Court and how does he discover it in Erec and Enide?

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

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

7. What is the irony behind Alis' choosing of John to build Fenice's tomb in Cliges?

8. In Cliges, what does the fading of the golden thread and retention of Soredamor's golden hair in Alexander's shirt sleeve symbolize and foreshadow?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the idea of what an adventure, journey, or quest is. Are they all the same or does each term mean something different? How are the tales driven by one of these, and how important is it? Use specific examples from each tale.

Essay Topic 3

There are several recurring minor characters in the Arthurian Romances. Discuss the use of these characters and who they are. Which stories do they appear in, and what role do they play in each story? Are they always the same or are they different? What can you tell about the characters after seeing them appear various times? Use specific examples to support your claims.

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