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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 language was The Mabinogion originally written in?

2. How many years did the four spend living in the wilds before moving to Lloegyr?

3. Which of the following is not a sibling to the others this list?

4. How fast is Rhiannon's horse travelling when the messengers pursue her?

5. What is the name of the man (other than Pwyll) who claims Rhiannon as his bride?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Cigfa become so fearful after Rhiannon and Pryderi vanish?

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

4. What are onomastic tales?

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

6. How does Pwyll win Rhiannon back from Gwawl?

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

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

9. What is unusual about Rhiannon's horse as the messengers try to catch her?

10. Which manuscript used to compile The Mabinogion is the earliest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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"

Essay Topic 2

Examine the character of the magician Gwydion in "Math son of Mathonwy" and describe him in detail. State whether this character is more a negative character or a positive character, or neutral, using quotes from the text to support your answer.

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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