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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. Where is Macsen when he receives the message that inspires him to return to Rome?

2. Who invented the word "Mabinogion"?

3. What town was Pwyll and Rhiannon's son born in?

4. Where is Bendigeifran wounded?

5. What do Gwydion and his men disguise themselves at to visit the court of Pryderi?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the Irish hide within the hall built for Bendigeidfran and why?

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

3. Where does Macsen Wledig fall asleep?

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

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

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

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

8. Where did the Three Romances originate from before being written for the Mabinogion?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how the character of King Arthur changes over time. Your answer should describe how he is portrayed in:

(a) "Culhwch and Olwen"

(b) the three romances ("The Lady of the Fountain", "Peredur son of Efrawg" and "Gereint son of Erbin")

(c) "The Dream of Rhonabwy".

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

How does the narrative style of the tales in The Mabinogion differ from modern narrative styles? Choose at least two examples of narrative and analyse their style, including aspects such as vocabulary, level of detail and use of sensory imagery, comparing these to a modern passage of narrative of your choice. One of the passages you choose from The Mabinogion should be from the later tales (the three romances, The Dream of Macsen Wledig and The Dream of Rhonabwy) and should be from the earlier oral tales.

(see the answer keys)

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