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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. Who does Sir Gawain call to on the morning of his departure from "the lord's" castle to fetch his saddle?

2. Where does Pearl say is wrong with the narrator's mind?

3. Who is the Queen of Courtesy?

4. What does Sir Gawain have in his hand as he approaches the roof of the dwelling?

5. When was the last time that Sir Gawain was as happy as he is the moment he realizes he is alive?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Lady Heurodis disappears, what does Sir Orfeo do?

2. Why does Sir Orfeo leave his kingdom with only a beggar's cloak?

3. According to Pearl, why has God called her?

4. What happens when Sir Orfeo sees Lady Heurodis on horseback?

5. Why does the Green Knight get angry at Sir Gawain when he delivers his first blow to Sir Gawain?

6. Why do Sir Orfeo's grandparents possess the names that they do?

7. Why does Sir Gawain not heed the advice of "the lord"?

8. Why is the narrator of "Pearl" concerned with resigning to die?

9. How is the narrator's pearl compared to Jerusalem's Lamb?

10. What does Pearl say happens to all whom enter the kingdom of God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" there is an overwhelming sense of the importance of imagery in its relation to constraint. The girdle, armor, and even food cause feelings of constraint. Discuss three specific constraints as detailed in the text. What is the object? Why is it considered a constraint? How does Sir Gawain succeed at destroying the constraint that the object produces?

Essay Topic 2

The number three is highlighted in many different ways in the text. Discuss the use of the number three. In which instances is the number three used? What does its use represent in each circumstance? Why the number three?

Essay Topic 3

In "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" an internal battle seems to be played out: one of Pagan versus Christian belief. Do you believe that one religious belief is proven to be more important than the other, or do they work in alliance?

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