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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 country is the poem written about?

2. What is another name for Charlemagne?

3. Who encourages peace between Marsile and Ganelon?

4. What material did the people use to create Marsile's throne?

5. How does Marsile expect the interaction to end?

Short Essay Questions

1. How many divisions are there? Where are they placed? What is the purpose of different locations?

2. What is Charlemagne's reaction when the governors and nobles approach him with the idea that Ganelon should be spared? What happens next?

3. What does Ganelon tell Blancandrin about Roland? What is the solution to the problem?

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

5. 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?

6. Oliver goes ahead to act as look out. What does Oliver see and how does it affect the French soldiers' plans?

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

8. How do Marsile's messengers intend to deceive Charlemagne? Why do they think the Emperor will fall for it?

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

10. Charlemagne must decide what to do as night is beginning to fall. What is Charlemagne's plan and the result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ganelon aided Marsile in devising a devious plot against Charlemagne and Roland. What were the details of Ganelon's plan? How was the plan kept from Charlemagne and Roland? Who was wise to the plan? How was Charlemagne eventually informed? Did Marsile and Ganelon both stick to the plan?

Essay Topic 2

Archbishop Turpin takes on an entirely different role at Spanish Pass. What is the Archbishop's primary duty in the royal court and how does it change on the battlefield? What other role does the Archbishop assume? How does Roland react to the change in the clergyman?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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