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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 nation did Guiseppe defect to?

2. The "truth" that Montaigne speaks of in the essay in Book 2 of Essays, "Of Repentance" is best described as what?

3. In his writing, Montaigne avoids becoming excessively what?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What disappointed Montaigne in Rome?

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

6. Why does Montaigne admire Cato?

7. Why do the Genoese keep Guiseppe locked up?

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

9. Describe the course of Montaigne's journey described in Travel Journal: Chapter 15.

10. What qualities interest Montaigne about public water?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During his travels, Montaigne encounters a wide range of languages in colloquial use, reflecting the rapidly changing political landscape that results from the pressures and oddities of the feudal system.

1) Describe some of the unusual trends in language use that Montaigne witnessed during his travels. Which language stood out the most, and why?

2) Montaigne was somewhat disappointed to discover that foreigners often spoke with him in French. Describe the prominence of the French language in the countries that Montaigne visited and discuss the reasons for this phenomenon.

3) Relate the spread and persistence of foreign-language use to the feudal political system that dominated medieval Europe.

Essay Topic 2

Montaigne was obsessed with the nature and quality of local waters and other mundane items such as plates and cutlery. Throughout his travels, he makes careful note of the qualities of these items and appears to take great pleasure in analyzing and reporting on them.

1) Discuss the importance of local drinking water in medieval Europe, and describe some of the common features that Montaigne describes which might be out of place in modern Europe.

2) Discuss the reasons that might explain Montaigne's interest in these subjects.

3) Describe Montaigne's general opinion about the quality of water and other common goods and wares available throughout the areas he visited compared to those available in his home country.

Essay Topic 3

Virtues like mercy are important to Montaigne and feature prominently in many of his essays. He writes extensively about the relationship between bravery and mercy in particular.

1) Explain the meaning of mercy, according to Montaigne, and how it is demonstrated in important ways in warfare. Explain how this sensibility is related to Feudal-system believes about virtue.

2) Discuss the importance that Montaigne places on bravery, and explain some of the examples that Montaigne uses to highlight bravery or boldness in the face of the enemy.

2) Summarize the relationship that Montaigne sees between bravery and mercy, explaining how bravery incites acts of mercy, and what the risks of exercising either bravery and mercy are.

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