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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 animal is killed in order to frame Rhiannon for the murder of her son?

2. Who invented the word "Mabinogion"?

3. How old was Gwri when he learned to walk?

4. What equipment do the brothers use to breach the city walls and enter the city?

5. What is the bridge onto the ship in Macsen's dream made out of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Llwyd use his magic to bring harm to Pryderi and his family?

2. Why does Pryderi arrange for his widowed mother to marry Manawydan?

3. Why do the four have to leave the towns in Lloegyr they try to settle in?

4. What does Pwyll do that insults or offends Arawn?

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

6. Why does Elen command the roads to be built throughout Britain?

7. What happens to Branwen after the battle?

8. What action of Pwyll's during his year in the Otherworld impresses Arawn as an example of virtue?

9. How do Math and Gwydion find Lleu Llaw Gyffes after Gronwr shoots him?

10. What does Macsen see in his dream beside the river?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Animals often seem to play a magical role in some of the tales of The Mabinogion. Choose three animals from the list below and describe some examples of how they are used the tales. Your answer should also state how the animals seem to affect the events of the plot. Choose from:

(a) pigs or boars

(b) mice

(c) horses

(d) birds

(e) deer

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

Several of the tales in The Mabinogion seem to have the transition from boyhood to manhood as their theme. Choose two of the tales below and for each, describe the attributes that the main character must gain in order to prove that he is a man, and how he obtains these. Choose from:

(a) "Culhwch and Olwen"

(b) "Math son of Mathonwy"

(c) "Peredur son of Efrawg"

(see the answer keys)

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