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

2. What color is the gown that the child wears in stanza fourteen of "Pearl"?

3. How does the narrator of "Pearl" describe the forehead of the girl he wishes to call to?

4. Where does Sir Orfeo hide during bad weather?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sir Gawain do on New Year's day as he rises?

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

3. What does "the lord" tell Sir Gawain will happen if he goes to the Green Chapel?

4. Upon entering the faerie king's castle, what does Sir Orfeo see?

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

6. Describe the gown worn by Pearl.

7. What does Sir Gawain do with the silk belt on the morning he leaves for the Green Chapel?

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

9. What does Sir Gawain say as he leaves "the lord's" castle for the Green Chapel?

10. According to Chapter IV of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," what is happening as New Year's draws near?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Scenery in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is important. This is shown through the author's attention to detail. To what could the scenery in the text be compared to? Options: Sir Gawain's mental state, the conflict between Gawain and the Green Knight, etc. Support your answer textually paying special attention to a direct comparison between the scenery and the compared object or person.

Essay Topic 2

The role of women in each of the tales provide descriptions of powerful women who change the lives of the men around them. Discuss the role of the women in each of the texts. Why is the woman important? Why is her role important? How does she change the life of those around her?

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is the supernatural highlighted in both "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Sir Orfeo"? How are the illustrations of the supernatural similar? Is the use of the supernatural consistent within both texts? Which text takes the supernatural to a more extreme level? For what purpose does it serve?

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