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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. At what point does Pietro speak and break the spell?

2. What does Monna Giovanna's son want to possess?

3. What do Messer Forese da Rabatta and Giotto di Bondone have in common with the Baronci family?

4. What does Gianni have the wife do before casting his spell?

5. What do two men who know Brother Onion well suspect?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Caterina and Ricciardo found out?

2. How does Don Gianni di Barolo have his way with the wife of Pietro da Tresanti while Pietro looks on?

3. When Calandrino finds what he thinks are magic rocks, what do Bruno and Buffalmacco decide to do.

4. What does the daughter of Messer Lizio di Valbona, a rich knight, do that her father knows nothing about?

5. How does the affair between Caterina and Ricciardo work itself out?

6. What is the result of Frederigo's attempts to impress Monna Giovanna?

7. Although Frederigo would give anything to Monna Giovanna, why is it impossible for him to give her the falcon?

8. How does Peronella turn the situation around and get her husband inside the barrel.

9. What plan does Caterina devise in order to be with Ricciardo?

10. What is the sad situation with Frederigo, a man of noble birth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, The Absurdity of Applying Double Standards. Using the tale of the abbess who is caught with a man's pants on her head instead of her veil, write about applying double standards. Use both religious and political examples from the modern world as other examples in your essay.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Attitudes About the Morality of the Clergy. In your essay point out from THE DECAMERON how it is assumed that many if not most of the clergy are morally remiss in having affairs. Compare this to modern times when clergy have been brought down because of their moral indiscretions.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, the device Boccaccio uses in the character of Dioneo tell the tenth tale every evening. Discuss this literary device in terms of transition and keeping the story flowing in the form of the novel. Conclude with the element of suspense that this device brings to THE DECAMERON making the reader want to read on.

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