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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. Which one of the following is not a reason to summon Charlemagne?

2. How does Ganelon refer to himself?

3. What is Roland's position?

4. Marsile believes that Charlemagne will grow...

5. Which of the following will NOT be offered to Charlemagne?

Short Essay Questions

1. If the king chooses to worship another religion, what are his beliefs? To whom does the king turn?

2. Why is it important to note that Roland and Archbishop Turpin are the last two remaining French soldiers?

3. Where does Charlemagne find Roland? What is unusual about Roland's body?

4. What happened when two of Charlemagne's counts went to Marsile to try and take over Saragossa? Which two counts went on the mission?

5. Baligant believes that Charlemagne has lost all his power. What causes Baligant to make that statement? How do the others respond to the comment?

6. Charlemagne chooses two new generals to be at his side in battle. Who do the generals replace and what do they symbolize?

7. How does Blancandrin predict that the plan will work out? What will happen to the city?

8. What does Ganelon propose to Marsile on behalf of Charlemagne?

9. What does Marsile's nephew claim that he needs in order to defeat Roland? What will the result be?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Before the war begins, Marsile summons fellow warrior and pagan Baligant to come to his aid. Baligant's trip is long, which affects Marsile's plan. Marsile also had to use coercion to get Baligant to come to Saragossa. What is the personal relationship between Marsile and Baligant? Where was Baligant's home? How did Baligant travel? What was used to coerce Baligant to go to Marsile's aid?

Essay Topic 2

Ganelon professes hatred for Roland in the beginning of the tale and immediately plots Roland's death. Outline Ganelon's plan for Roland's execution and how it might be accomplished. Does Ganelon succeed? If so, how did the actual events compare to the original plan? What is the outcome regarding Ganelon?

Essay Topic 3

Charlemagne arrives at Spanish Pass to find all of his soldiers dead. Charlemagne begins to go after the fleeing Saracens but is stopped by an act of nature. What is the act? How is the situation remedied? The act of nature is a metaphor for what moral? Does the solution help or hurt Charlemagne's battle?

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