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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 is Montaigne's opinion of his own performance as a husband compared to his expectations?

2. What was Montaigne's religion?

3. Montaigne says that women know more than men about what?

4. What did Christ teach about the treatment of women?

5. Montaigne says that the Roman dishes are superior to French dishes made of what?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What was Montaigne interested in learning about in Trent?

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

4. Why do the Genoese keep Guiseppe locked up?

5. How does Montaigne says that personal character is related to repentance?

6. What disappointed Montaigne in Rome?

7. What influences may have caused Montaigne to have a greater respect for women?

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

9. Overall, what is Montaigne's writing style like?

10. What does Montaigne admit about himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The Protestant Revolution was a major event still in its development in Europe in Montaigne's time. Leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin sparked a revolution in religion that led to numerous civil and religious wars.

1) Explain the origins of the protestant revolution as explained by Montaigne, including its leaders, major philosophical and religious works, and its ideological basis.

2) Discuss Montaigne's opinion about the spread of protestant ideas and the subject of censorship.

3) Describe some of the impacts that the ongoing protestant revolution had on Europe in Montaigne's time, including the frequent religious wars and internal strife that it caused. What effects did these event have on Montaigne?

Essay Topic 3

"The Apology of Reymond Sebond", a major work in the medieval era, was of great interest to Montaigne, who translated a copy of it into French. He believed that the arguments is contained were of great importance to both Christians and non-Christians.

1) Discuss, in general, the content of Reymond Sebond's work, and describe its place in the intellectual discourse in Montaigne's time.

2) Describe some of the reasons that Montaigne regarded Sebond's work as being particularly important and influential.

3) Summarize the major points that Montaigne makes about this work, and any of the major weaknesses that he identifies.

4) Asses, overall, how meaningful and important Sebond's work was in its era.

(see the answer keys)

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