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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 holiday was Montaigne able to observe at Saint Peter's in Rome?

2. In what month did Montaigne arrive in Rome?

3. Montaigne's general attitude towards women was what?

4. Montaigne treated women without what?

5. Montaigne's writing does not appear to be what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Montaigne believe that women know more about love?

2. Describe the changes in languages that Montaigne encounters during the travels discussed in Travel Journal: Chapter 13?

3. What does Montaigne say about the differences in the desires of men and women?

4. According to the note at the beginning of Book 3 of Essays: Chapter 12, why is the editor interested in Montaigne's travel journals?

5. What church promotion occurred in Trent while Montaigne was there?

6. Why does Montaigne admire Cato?

7. How does Montaigne say that he was able to deal with the restrictions of marriage?

8. What did the notorious criminal Catena once force two men to do before he killed them?

9. Why do the Genoese keep Guiseppe locked up?

10. What was Montaigne's general attitude towards women?

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

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?

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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