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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 happens to the doctors who beat and torture Fenice?

2. Upon whom does the King bestow the kiss of the white stag?

3. Who says "Never do I seek to be free from Love so as not to devote myself always to his service"?

4. What does Erec instruct Enide NOT to do as they are traveling?

5. At King Arthur's court, what is the color of armor that Cliges wears on the third day of the tournament?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the sparrowhawk contest in Erec and Enide?

2. The story of Empress Fenice has had what consequences on future royalty, and why in Cliges?

3. What is the irony behind Alis' choosing of John to build Fenice's tomb in Cliges?

4. What does Erec discover is the Joy of the Court and how does he discover it in Erec and Enide?

5. Why do Erec and Enide leave King Arthur's court?

6. Briefly describe the initial attraction and relationship between Alexander and Soredamour, in Cliges.

7. Briefly describe Erec's robe of watered silk in Erec and Enide.

8. When and why is Alexander knighted, in Cliges?

9. Describe the garden Erec is shown by King Evrain in Erec and Enide.

10. Give a brief description of the knight, Erec, from Erec and Enide.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is courtly love? Is it similar to the concept of love today? Why or why not? What are guidelines for a relationship to fall under the category of courtly love? What did it mean historically? What does it mean in the Arthurian Romances? What are the examples of courtly love in the stories, and how do you know? What are the similarities and what are the differences between the different love stories? Do they all follow a similar path? Use specific examples to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the idea of what an adventure, journey, or quest is. Are they all the same or does each term mean something different? How are the tales driven by one of these, and how important is it? Use specific examples from each tale.

Essay Topic 3

The first story in the Arthurian Romances is Erec and Enide. Choose one of the following topics to discuss in regards to the tale. Be sure to use specific examples from the text and use additional outside research where necessary to completely answer the questions.

a) Can Erec and Enide be considered a love story? Why or why not? What sets it apart from other tales of love written in literature?

b) Erec and Enide is said to closely parallel the Welsh story "Mabinogian: Gereint Son of Erbin." Research this tale and compare and contrast it to Erec and Enide. Which was written first? What message does each story deliver? If it's the same message, which does it more effectively?

c) Discuss Erec as the main character and his relationships with others. What do these relationships tell us about him, and what is his personality like? Does he remain the same throughout or does he change? How do you know?

(see the answer keys)

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