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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. Where do they say Sharpe can travel is he is incapable of riding a horse?

2. Why is Ducos happy as he flees?

3. Whose release is Sharpe negotiating with El Matarife?

4. Why does Ducos hate Sharpe?

5. What does Sharpe wonder about Ducos?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does La Marquesa do at the start of the battle of Vitoria and who protects her and why was he chosen?

2. What is Wellington's plans for the battle at Vitoria?

3. Who does Sharpe think of when leading the troops and what does he do with the troops?

4. Where does La Marquesa want Sharpe to take her?

5. About what do Harper and d'Alembord have a bet concerning Sharpe?

6. What do the British do when they arrive at Vitoria and how do they feel about what they are facing?

7. What does Sharpe do when el Matarife shows up at the inn? How does that end?

8. Where is Sharpe taken in Burgos and what is the place like?

9. How, according to Helene could Sharpe break parole and maintain his honor? What does he think is the reason she is pushing him? What does he do after she leaves him?

10. Why do Sharpe and Patrick return to La Marquesa's wagons, what does Sharpe see and what does he do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter three, the reader learns through Patrick Harper that Sharpe is bored and gets into trouble when he is bored. Sharpe accepts the challenge of the duel not only because he is bored, but because he feels he needs to redeem himself somehow. Cornwell often uses characters around Sharpe to examine Sharpe's inner workings. This paints a picture of the mysterious, tough character by not requiring an explanation from Sharpe himself. It also gives insight about the characters around Sharpe, as only the people really close to him are allowed to examine his feelings.

1. Explain how boredom has caused many people, especially teenagers, to participate in behaviors that are harmful or illegal. Use examples from the book and your own experience to support your answer.

2. Discuss why a person might become bored and how boredom can be relieved with beneficial activities. What are some ways to relieve boredom? What are some ways to avoid boredom? Use examples from the book and your own experience to support your answer.

3. Do you think Cornwell's technique of using the characters around Sharpe to present Sharpe's inner workings to be effective? Why or why not? Why do you think the author would chose to make Sharpe known in this manner? Use examples from the book and your own experience to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Most people and regular soldiers detest spies and the idea of spying. Spies are not considered in the same vein as soldiers in uniform and are not protected by the customs and regulations that govern the treatment of soldiers who are in uniform when captured. Wellington sends Sharpe out, under a false name, to not only clear his name but also to spy on the French. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why do you think spies are not accorded any rights under many countries' laws and/or customs?

2. Even though all countries abhor spies, often even their own, they still spy, and men and women are still willing to be spies. Discuss why you think this is so.

3. Research and analyze the history of spying in either England, France or Spain.

4. Does Sharpe seem the image of a typical spy as you visualize one? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

There are three "villains" in Sharpe's Honor. Father Hacha is intelligent and clever with his cruelty, and El Matarife is completely savage; El Matarife is torturing a captive when the reader first meets him. Pierre Ducos is a greedy and self-serving character and brutally highlights hostilities between France and Spain.

1. Explain, with examples from the text, what you see are the main motivations behind Pierre Ducos's behavior. If he lived in America today with what crimes do you think he would be charged?

2. Father Hacha is a "villain" who does not seem to be motivated by self-interest. Discuss why or why not you believe this statement to be true. Use examples from Sharpe's Honor to support and illustrate your opinion.

3. Do you think crimes or immoral behavior motivated by good intentions is more pardonable than that motivated by self-interests? Why or why not? Use examples from Sharpe's Honor to support and illustrate your opinion.

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