View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Abelard mean to indicate by the example of the Sibyl's prophecies?

2. What does Peter the Venerable say Abelard's last days with him were devoted to?

3. What should people focus on, according to Abelard in Letter 8?

4. What does Peter the Venerable say he admires?

5. Why did Peter the Venerable send Abelard away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the power of prayer supposed to be in these letters? Are the letters themselves prayers? How is prayer distinct from these letters?

Essay Topic 2

Define the role of class status in The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. In what ways does Abelard and Heloise's class status affect their story? How would this story be different if they were poor from the outset?

Essay Topic 3

How would the letters of Abelard and Heloise be written today? How would modern communication technology change the emotional tenor of this correspondence? What parts would remain trenchant? What parts would be lost?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 223 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample