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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Abelard say he writes to Heloise?
(a) As a lover.
(b) As a superior.
(c) As an inferior.
(d) As a teacher.

2. What does Abelard say motivated him to tell Heloise the things that filled her with despair?
(a) Desire for God's forgiveness.
(b) Desire to share in suffering out of love.
(c) Desire to educate her about man's wicked ways.
(d) Desire to fill her soul with awe and desire for repentance.

3. What did Abelard feel about his castration?
(a) It was a reprisal for the evil he'd done.
(b) It destroyed him.
(c) It was Fulbert's right.
(d) It was an outrage against his humanity.

4. What were the contents of the letter Heloise saw?
(a) Heloise's mother asking her husband to be lenient on Abelard.
(b) Heloise's father asking his men to take revenge.
(c) Abelard lamenting his and Heloise's plight.
(d) Heloise's father asking the authorities to punish Abelard.

5. To what does Abelard refer her as proof of what he says?
(a) Her childhood.
(b) Scripture.
(c) His letter.
(d) Ordinary experience.

6. What enables Abelard to return to Paris?
(a) William of Champeaux offered him his chair at the university.
(b) William of Champeaux's reputation was in decline.
(c) William of Champeaux invited him back.
(d) Anselm of Canterbury offered him his chair in the university.

7. What does Abelard say was the consequence of his lust for Heloise?
(a) He forgot his duties as a teacher.
(b) He lost his reverence for God.
(c) He defiled her soul.
(d) He betrayed her father's trust.

8. What does Heloise say Abelard should not have done for her sake?
(a) Left philosophy.
(b) Married her.
(c) Taken up scriptural studies.
(d) Sent her away.

9. What aspects of his personality does Abelard attribute to his native region?
(a) His volatile personality.
(b) His even temper.
(c) His devotion.
(d) His love of women.

10. What does Heloise say men say about her?
(a) That she is the most miserable of women.
(b) That she is the most fortunate of women.
(c) That she is chaste.
(d) That she is a hypocrite.

11. What explanation does Abelard offer for his trials?
(a) Cruel fate.
(b) His sins.
(c) Malicious men.
(d) Original sin.

12. How does Abelard answer Heloise's second letter in Letter 5?
(a) Point by point.
(b) Impressionistically.
(c) Indirectly.
(d) In roundabout fashion.

13. Where does Abelard ask Heloise to take his body if he dies?
(a) St. Denis.
(b) Paris.
(c) Paraclete.
(d) Argenteuil.

14. In Letter 4, for what does Heloise say she is grateful?
(a) That she still has her eyes to see the world.
(b) That the tempter did not get her to do wrong.
(c) That Abelard is still alive to be her companion.
(d) That she is still there to comfort him.

15. Who does Heloise say commanded her to be a nun?
(a) God.
(b) Her father.
(c) Her abbot.
(d) Abelard.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Abelard make sure to say was NOT the case for his action?

2. How did Abelard seduce Heloise?

3. In Letter 5, what does Abelard say he is surprised by?

4. Whom does Abelard want to pray for him?

5. What does Abelard say he will do to Heloise in Letter 5?

(see the answer keys)

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