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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. Who is the shepherd responsible for bringing back the bull in Section VIII?

2. Why does Fergus fear Gaile Dana and his sons will kill Cuchulainn?

3. Who does Ailill make fun of for not being a real king?

4. What word does Medb use to describe her thighs in Chapter XI?

5. Who refuses to fight a beardless boy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Cuchulainn's longest battle with and why?

2. How does Ailill use the town fool and why is Cuchulainn aggravated by the situation?

3. Describe Cur's attack on Cuchulainn. Who wins the fight and how?

4. Who is Cuchulainn's mortal father and what is his role in the war?

5. Why does Cuchulainn strut around the day after his bloody, warp-spasm induced battle?

6. Why does Cuchulainn refuse to leave Ferdia's corpse?

7. When Medb and Ailill get Fergus drunk and send him to fight Cuchulainn, why doesn't Cuchulainn kill him?

8. What causes King Ailill's daughter Finnabair to fall dead?

9. How is it that Loch almost defeats Cuchulainn?

10. How does Fergus lose his sword? What does he do without it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify and discuss five points of foreshadowing from the novel. Did the author use foreshadowing effectively? Why or why not? Define foreshadowing in your essay as well.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the protagonist in The Tain. Discuss the antagonist. Is there ever a time in the novel when it seems like they have reversed roles? Use the definition for the terms in your response.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characteristics Joseph Campbell outlines for the mythical hero archetype. Which character best fits all of these characteristics and why?

(see the answer keys)

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