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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 does Montaigne say about how bad a vice lying is in general?

2. What subject does the second introduction for this book cover?

3. Montaigne suggests that a kindly person goes through life inclined towards what?

4. Montaigne suggests that the difference between a man and an animal is less than the difference between a man and what?

5. What method of governance dominated Europe in Montaigne's time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Montaigne say that parental affection is important for a child's development?

2. What problem does Henry, the duke of Normandy, experience in one of Montaigne's stories?

3. What consequences did his father's opinion on education have on Montaigne?

4. What factors in Europe tended to restrict the social status of women?

5. Why does Montaigne believe that solitude is important?

6. What occurrence that is related to Sebond's work does Montaigne say he is proud of?

7. What does Montaigne say about marriage near the end of Book 2 of Essays: Chapter 5?

8. What was Montaigne's general attitude towards marriage?

9. What was the cause of most religious wars in Europe in Montaigne's time?

10. What does Montaigne say about the difference between a man and an animal.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Virtues like mercy are important to Montaigne and feature prominently in many of his essays. He writes extensively about the relationship between bravery and mercy in particular.

1) Explain the meaning of mercy, according to Montaigne, and how it is demonstrated in important ways in warfare. Explain how this sensibility is related to Feudal-system believes about virtue.

2) Discuss the importance that Montaigne places on bravery, and explain some of the examples that Montaigne uses to highlight bravery or boldness in the face of the enemy.

2) Summarize the relationship that Montaigne sees between bravery and mercy, explaining how bravery incites acts of mercy, and what the risks of exercising either bravery and mercy are.

Essay Topic 2

Montaigne regards lying to be a major vice, but one which he makes a minor exception for in certain cases. He discusses this vice in detail, describing some ways that it causes problems for those who indulge in it, and discussing ways that lies can be discovered.

1) Describe Montaigne's opinion about the acceptability of lying. Does he believe it is a vice in all cases? Does Montaigne believe that some lies are morally acceptable, or even desirable?

2) Discuss the negative effects that Montaigne says lying has on those who compulsively or frequently lie.

3) Explain the strategies that Montaigne recommends for identifying and uncovering lies.

Essay Topic 3

Montaigne embarked on a major journey before taking up office in Bordeaux, and the exhaustive travel journals from that trip comprise the last major work of the book.

1) Discuss Montaigne's reasons for making his journey. Based on information about the culture of the time, would his journey be seen as normal, or unusual?

2) Describe the route that Montaigne followed, and its significance in the broader context of medieval culture.

3) Summarize Montaigne's goals and assess whether or not he achieved them during his journey.

4) Describe any other unexpected benefits that Montaigne derived from his travels.

(see the answer keys)

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