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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. After dinner, Madelyne finally realizes that Duncan reminds her of whom?

2. Which two brothers trade insults with Gerald at dinner?

3. What does Madelyne do on her wedding night before she sees Duncan?

4. Why does the priest rush out of the room after the wedding ceremony?

5. Why does Duncan vow to go slowly, be gentle and speak softly to Madelyne after they retire to his chamber, on the night he gives permission for Gerald to live in the fortress until Adele consents to marry him?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 22, Duncan gives Madelyn a recitation of many things that Madelyne does since he proves she is courageous. What are three of the four reasons that Duncan provides to Madelyne to prove to her that she is courageous?

2. Why does Madelyne practice archery so hard and long?

3. In Chapter 22, why does Madelyne want to delay her marriage to Duncan?

4. After dinner and Madelyne's singing, what alliances do Duncan and Edmond discuss with regard to Louddon?

5. Why does Duncan not like the changes that Madelyne makes to the hall?

6. Who is Rachel and what is the truth of Rachel's relationship with her husband and with Louddon that is overheard by Madelyne in London?

7. When Louddon testifies in front of the king, what does he say and do?

8. How does the fact that Father Laurence is an impostor affect Duncan and Madelyne?

9. Why is Adela worried about Gerald's visit?

10. What changes does Madelyne make to the hall without permission from Duncan after she and Duncan are wed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the novel Madelyne is pregnant, although she doesn't immediately realize it and Duncan finally breaks the news to her. Pregnancy may be symbolic for a fulfillment of the future, new experiences, self awareness, personal growth and the cycle of life. How does the novel describe Madelyne's pregnancy? Why does everyone know that Madelyne is pregnant except for Madelyne? Is there more than one reason for this, an obvious reason and a less obvious one? What does this mean about Madelyne's self-awareness? Is Madelyne a changed woman from the beginning of the novel? Is there more room for growth? Is the pregnancy seen as a reward for Madelyne and Duncan, or something else? Pick three ways in which the pregnancy is symbolic of some aspect of the change in Madelyne, or the change in the relationship between Madelyne and Duncan. Use examples from the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Madelylne begins by dreaming of Odysseus and then sings about his adventures, teaching the Wextons and Gerald of his story. From whom and under what circumstances does Madlyne learn about Odysseus and Ployphemus? Who are these mythological characters and how do they allude to characters in Honor's Splendour? Who reminds Madelyne of Odysseus and why? Who reminds Madelyne of Polyphemus and why? Does Madelyne find that in the end, she is living the dream of Odysseus? Provide examples from the book to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Duncan admits that he doesn't like change, which Madelyne brings to his household. He believes that more change comes as long as she stays. What is Duncan's reaction to change? Is Madelyne a symbol of change in the novel? Why does Duncan want to marry Madelyne when he knows that she represents change in his life? Does he like the changes or is he merely putting up with change to appease her until she is his wife? Is Madelyne changing how Duncan perceives the world? Write an essay that discusses how Madelyne represents change in Duncan's world and provide examples from the novel to support your argument.

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