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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. In one of Montaigne's stories about mercy, what position does Conrad hold?

2. Montaigne describes how soldiers sometimes do what in desperate times?

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

4. Montaigne characterizes his parents' treatment of him as which of the following?

5. Montaigne says that he could never do what with respect to his father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Montaigne's opinion on evil means used for a good end?

2. What unusual rule did Knights of the Spanish order that Montaigne discusses have to obey, and why?

3. How does Montaigne believe that judgment about lying are influenced by motive?

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

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

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

7. Why does Montaigne discuss swaddling clothes?

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

9. Why does Montaigne use few quotations from women in his essays?

10. How does Montaigne suggest that a liar can be caught?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his life, Montaigne was touched by the effects of death, and mortality was a constant but understated part of his thoughts and beliefs.

1) Summarize the losses that Montaigne experienced during his lifetime.

2) Discuss the impact that these losses had on Montaigne, and the reasons he had for avoiding writing about them in his works.

3) Describe the effect that mortality had on Montaigne's thinking and his works.

4) Describe how Montaigne was able to cope with the frequent loss of life that he witnessed.

Essay Topic 2

In one of his essays, Montaigne discusses the act of using evil means to achieve goods ends. His opinion on this subject is nuanced and impartial.

1) Discuss, using Montaigne's examples, the major philosophical points that come into play when discussing the justification of evil means for achieving good ends.

2) Summarize Montaigne's opinion on the subject, discussing whether or not justifications can be made in certain circumstances, and what moral weight these types of actions carry.

3) Analyze Montaigne's other writings and journals and asses whether or not Montaigne appears to be consistent in his own life n the application of the recommendations he makes in his essay about using evil means for good ends. Does he sometimes break his own rules, or does he generally adhere to them?

Essay Topic 3

Montaigne believes solitude to be exceedingly important in the pursuit of honestly and unfiltered self-analysis, a goal he regards as being objectively desirable. He claims that one's thought and words are affected by others, even if only out of politeness and sociability, and that this filtering acts to hinder proper, honest thought.

1) Explain why Montaigne believes that achieving honest self-analysis is a desirable goal. Discuss some of the prerequisites that Montaigne sees as being necessary for achieving this goal.

2) Discuss the effect that Montaigne believes other people have on an individual's thought processes. Is this reaction essential good or bad? Is it dishonest or sincere?

3) Describe the importance that Montaigne places on solitude, and what he believes people should do to benefit most from the experience of solitude. How does this belief tie into his assertion about self-analysis?

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