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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 Oliver request from Roland?

2. How do Charlemagne's people refer to themselves?

3. To whom does Marsile pray?

4. The poem states that Charlemagne cannot save himself from:

5. Who is Baldwin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ganelon's position on Marsile's hostile efforts against Charlemagne? What is the term that describes Ganelon's actions?

2. What is Roland's reaction to Blancandrin's tale and promises?

3. Why does Marsile ask his counselors for help? Who comes up with a plan?

4. What happens after Roland enters the grove of trees? How does Roland react?

5. Roland's opinion of Turpin changes during the battle. What has Roland discovered?

6. About what does Roland ask Oliver's advice? Why do the men agree or disagree?

7. What does Marsile want Charlemagne to do? What is Marsile's promise?

8. Which of Charlemagne's highest ranking officers is by his side when the king arrives at the battle? How do the men react to the carnage?

9. What is Bromimonde's reaction to being taken to France? How does Charlemagne treat Bromimonde?

10. What is the purpose of Archbishop Turpin's presence? What does Turpin do while at the camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marsile, Baligant, Roland, and Charlemagne all have different methods of arranging their troops before battle. Compare the Saracens' methods against the French. Also compare Marsile's methods to Baligant's and Roland's methods to those employed by Charlemagne.

Essay Topic 2

As with many ancient tales, some of the numbers used in the story are obviously inaccurate. For example, Charlemagne is said to be at least 200 years old. Roland is able to slay 4,000 Saracens although he is mortally wounded. What is the purpose and explanation of these numbers? Do the numbers represent anything in particular? How might one uncover the true numbers in the story?

Essay Topic 3

The battle between Marsile and Charlemagne is actual and metaphoric. Examine the conflict between the kingdoms, their politics and their difference in religious beliefs. How do the latter affect the way the soldiers fight? How did the preparations (or lack thereof) affect the outcome of the battles?

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This section contains 622 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample