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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 does Aglie tell Casaubon about himself?

2. What word does Casaubon finally use to unlock Belbo's computer?

3. Who is NOT a participant in the meeting that Casaubon overhears at Aglie's residence?

4. What happened to the political radicals in Milan, while Casaubon was away?

5. What rumors began to circulate about the Knights Templar, as word of their success spread?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Aglie's response when Casaubon asks him why he associates himself with so many different occult practices?

2. What changed, in Italy, during the time that Casaubon was living in Brazil?

3. What idea does Mr. Garamond get from his meeting with Professor Bramanti?

4. What is Project Hermes?

5. What are the origins of the religious traditions of Brazil, according to Aglie's discussion with Casaubon and Amparo?

6. What do Casaubon and De Angelis discuss at their second meeting?

7. What were the origins of the Knights Templar?

8. Why does Casaubon meet with Belbo and Mr. Garamond in Chapter 38?

9. How is Signor Aglie described?

10. What are the two publishing companies run by Mr. Garamond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The women in Casaubon's life have a great impact on him, and affect his search for knowledge in various ways. What is Amparo's background, and how does she feel about the occult? What does Casaubon learn from her? What is Lia's outlook on Casaubon's occult activities? What does Casaubon learn from her? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Many different views are expressed in the novel regarding occult knowledge; for example, Bramanti wants to disseminate occult knowledge because of the power inherent in it, whereas Garamond cares only for the profit that can be gained from selling it. Discuss the different views of occult knowledge and mysticism presented in the novel, and reasons for each of those views. Which one do you agree with most, and why? Which one do you think the author would agree with, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The Knights Templar are one of the main occult groups presented in the novel. Why is so little known about them? Why are they so central to a variety of beliefs and traditions? Why are scholars so interested in them after so many centuries? What information presented regarding the Templars is fact, and what is speculation? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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