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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 leads Math and Gwydion to Lleu Llaw Gyffes?

2. What is Macsen Wledig doing when he falls asleep and has his dream?

3. How many people does Macsen Wledig see in his dream?

4. Which of the following places are not seen by Macsen's messengers in the Island of Britain?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Branwen after the battle?

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

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

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

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

6. How does Pwyll win Rhiannon back from Gwawl?

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

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

9. Why does Gwydion suggest obtaining pigs from Pryderi?

10. What are onomastic tales?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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")

Essay Topic 2

"The Dream of Rhonabwy" contains a contrast between Arthurian days and "modern life" (from the perspective of the author, i.e. Medieval life). Describe and evaluate this contrast. Your answer should be structured as follows:

(1) Describe the Arthurian setting in the tale

(2) Describe the "real world' in the tale

(3) Decide which setting is more exaggerated and what you believe the author was attempting to say through the contrast.

Essay Topic 3

The Mabinogion often sets the plot events in places that the listeners would have been familiar with. Choose three of the real-world places below and for each, state which tale or tales that the place is mentioned in and the most significant events to take place there. Choose from:

(a) Caer Llion

(b) London

(c) Ireland

(d) Dyfed

(e) Cornwall

(see the answer keys)

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