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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. Which of the following is not one of the strongholds built by Elen?

2. Who is the first person to try to rescue Pryderi from the caer?

3. Where does Manawydan keep the mouse he catches?

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

5. Which of the following does not come on Manawydan and Pryderi in revenge for what was done to Gwawl?

Short Essay Questions

1. What conditions does Manawydan demand in exchange for the freedom of the mouse?

2. Why does Gwydion suggest obtaining pigs from Pryderi?

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

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

5. What are onomastic tales?

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

7. What happens when the door facing Cornwall is opened?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Mabinogion contains numerous examples of onomastic tales. Choose three places from the list below and for each, explain the following:

(1) How, according to the tale they appear in, the place earned its name

(2) How important the incident is in the plot of the tale in which it appears.

Choose from:

(a) Talebolion (Branwen daughter of Llyr)

(b) Llydaw (The Dream of Macsen Wledig)

(c) Caer Fyrddin (The Dream of Macsen Wledig)

(d) Creuwyron (Math son of Mathonwy)

(e) Caer Llud (Llud and Llefelys)

Essay Topic 2

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

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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