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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 was Montaigne's father's opinion on education?

2. About what percentage of Bordeaux's population died as a result of the major disease that hit it while Montaigne was in office there?

3. What language was the unusual book that Montaigne's father came into possession of written in?

4. What major disease hit Bordeaux while Montaigne was in office there?

5. What subject does the first essay from Book 2 center on?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Montaigne's opinion of war horses in general?

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

4. What method does Montaigne use to discuss Sebond's work?

5. Why does Montaigne discuss swaddling clothes?

6. Why was Montaigne arrested in Paris in 1588?

7. What decision does the soldier have to make in Book 1 of Essays: Chapter 2, Essay #3?

8. Why does Montaigne believe it is possible to laugh and cry about the same thing?

9. How does Montaigne suggest that virtue is different from kindliness?

10. What does Montaigne says about the equality of vices?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The subject of repentance is central to Montaigne's religion, and he expresses sincere and powerful opinions on the subject, making clear distinctions about what can be repented for, and how this act can be cathartic or destructive.

1) Discuss what repentance means to Montaigne, why it is important to a healthy spiritual life, and how its misuse can be harmful.

2) Describe the limits and rules that Montaigne recommends for repentance. What type of acts does he say cannot be repented of?

3) Discuss Montaigne's assessment of the importance of repentance in Christianity and in Catholicism specifically. Explain how these ideas relate to Montaigne's own opinions.

Essay Topic 2

During his travels, Montaigne encounters a wide range of languages in colloquial use, reflecting the rapidly changing political landscape that results from the pressures and oddities of the feudal system.

1) Describe some of the unusual trends in language use that Montaigne witnessed during his travels. Which language stood out the most, and why?

2) Montaigne was somewhat disappointed to discover that foreigners often spoke with him in French. Describe the prominence of the French language in the countries that Montaigne visited and discuss the reasons for this phenomenon.

3) Relate the spread and persistence of foreign-language use to the feudal political system that dominated medieval Europe.

Essay Topic 3

Entering into marriage, Montaigne did not expect to be a good husband. However, he exceeded his own expectations and became very interested in the subject of marriage, writing extensively about it in several essays.

1) Discuss Montaigne's opinion of marriage and how it changed over the course of his life.

2) Explain the differences that Montaigne sees in how men and women are prepared for married life.

3) Discuss the warnings and recommendations that Montaigne gives to both men and women for entering into married life. What are his reasons for giving this advice?

4) Assess how Montaigne's opinions would be viewed in the broader context of the culture of his time. Was he progressive or conservative? Did he believe in women's rights in marriage, or was he dismissive of them?

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