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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. Where did Montaigne end the journeys that he describes in his travel journal?

2. Montaigne's perspective as a male is best described as which of the following?

3. What abstract concept does Montaigne say he would not marry?

4. What does Montaigne say the substance that can be gathered from some public water sources can be used for?

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. What does Montaigne admit about himself?

3. Describe the culture of public bathing that is discussed in Montaigne's journal.

4. Why does Montaigne admire Cato?

5. What disappointed Montaigne in Rome?

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

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

8. What is Montaigne's general perspective?

9. Why did Montaigne write his travel journals?

10. What are some of the powers that Roman baths are reputed to have?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Feudalism was the dominant political doctrine in Europe in Montaigne's time, and the complex systems of interrelated heirarchies and social responsbilities affect his life and his writings greatly.

1) Explain the Feudal system as it existed in France at Montaigne's time. Explain its hierarchal system, and how is distributed political power. Explain some of the reasons that this system was so widespread and entrenched, and some of the unusual political situations that arose from it.

2) Discuss Montaigne's place in the Feudal system, and why he was promoted to mayor of Bordeaux late in his life. Explain some of the impact that this system had on his life and writings.

3) Assess what Montaigne's opinion of the system was overall, did he approve or disapprove of it, how and why?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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