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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. What do the Irish swineherds mistake Bendigeidfran for as he crosses the ocean?

2. What is the meaning given for the place-name Llydaw and explained by the onomastic tale?

3. Where is Bendigeifran wounded?

4. Which tale is the earliest contained in THE MABINOGION?

5. Which of the tales should correctly be called "The Mabinogion"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Elen insist on after the messengers salute her as Empress of Rome?

2. Was the name "The Mabinogion" originally given to this collection of tales?

3. How does Math react to the news that Goewin has been raped?

4. What happens to Branwen after the battle?

5. How do Bendigeidfran and his brothers know that the Irish ships are coming in peace?

6. How were these tales originally presented to an audience?

7. What three tokens of manhood does Aranrhod refuse to give Lleu Llaw Gyffes?

8. Why does Aranrhod treat Lleu Llaw Gyffes so spitefully?

9. Exactly what disappears during the thunder and mist, and what does not?

10. Why does Teyrnon decide to take Gwri to the court of Pwyll?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Mabinogion, what behavior is considered honourable or dishonourable? Choose two examples of behaviour described as honourable in the text and two examples of dishonourable behaviour. Describe each in detail, and include an explanation of how the honourable or dishonourable action affects the events of the plot.

Essay Topic 2

Hunting seems to be an important plot element in many of the tales in The Mabinogion. Eexplain the role that hunts and hunting play in the plots of the following tales:

(a) Pwyll Prince of Dyfed

(b) Culhwch and Olwen

(c) The Dream of Macsen Wledig

Essay Topic 3

Choose two of the women who play a significant role in the tales, and compare and contrast their characters. Which of the two is the stronger heroine? Chose from:

(a) Elen of the Hosts (in "The Dream of Macsen Wledig")

(b) Enid (in "Gereint son of Erbin")

(c) Branwen (from "Branwen daughter of Llyr")

(d) Rhiannon (from "Pwyll Prince of Dyfed and "Manawydan son of Llyr")

(e) Aranrhod (from "Math son of Mathonwy")

(see the answer keys)

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