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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 his writing, Montaigne avoids becoming excessively what?
2. Montaigne says that women know more than men about what?
3. Montaigne discusses how a man named Clesius was promoted to what rank?
4. Most of the essays that follow Book 2 of Essays, Essay #12, Apology to Raymond Sebond center on what subject?
5. What ancient writer does Montaigne discuss near the beginning of Book 3 of Essays: Chapter 11?
Short Essay Questions
1. What did the notorious criminal Catena once force two men to do before he killed them?
2. What was Montaigne interested in learning about in Trent?
3. How does Montaigne says that personal character is related to repentance?
4. Why did Montaigne write his travel journals?
5. What are some of the powers that Roman baths are reputed to have?
6. What was Montaigne's general attitude towards women?
7. Overall, what is Montaigne's writing style like?
8. What does Montaigne admit about himself?
9. Why did Montaigne undertake his travels?
10. Why does Montaigne believe that women know more about love?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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?
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
Along with virtues, Montaigne is interested in the concept of vices. He defines strict rules for determining whether or not a bad habit can be considered a vice, and discusses the effects that these behaviors have on the spiritual life of a human being.
1) Explain what, according to Montaigne, constitutes a vice. Discuss the differences that Montaigne sees between habits that are simply poorly judged or looked down upon, and actual vices.
2) Explain the relationship that Montaigne sees between sin and vice.
3) Discuss the impact that Montaigne believes vices have on a person's life, in terms of their physical well-being, their relationships, and their spiritual life.
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This section contains 765 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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