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. How is the garden enclosed by air?

2. Who is the first person Erec encounters on his journey for the Joy of the Court?

3. What must Erec do to discover the Joy of the Court?

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

5. Whom does Erec befriend after a fight?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Describe the garden Erec is shown by King Evrain in Erec and Enide.

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. 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

The fifth story in the Arthurian Romances is The Story of the Grail. 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) The Story of the Grail tells two separate stories about two separate individuals. Compare and contrast Perceval and Sir Gawain and their adventures.

b) It is said that this story is seen as one of the more puzzling tales. Why is this so? You may use critical analysis as reference and other tales for comparison.

c) Choose either Perceval or Sir Gawain. Discuss how his adventures reveal his character and explore his relationship with others.

Essay Topic 2

How does religion play a role in the Arthurian Romances? What religious views were shared in medieval times? How is religion depicted in the tales? Use specific examples from each story.

Essay Topic 3

Although called Arthurian Romances, King Arthur himself plays a very minor role in the stories, as does Queen Guinevere. Discuss their appearances in the five tales and how they differ or are the same. Analyze each character and their relationships with one another.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,127 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample