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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. Montaigne's secretary notes near the end of Travel Journal: Chapter 13, that the region they are in was once controlled by what nation?

2. Montaigne's perspective causes him to focus on what?

3. Montaigne's perspective as a male is best described as which of the following?

4. Montaigne's writing does not appear to be what?

5. The first part of Montaigne's journal was actually written by whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the powers that Roman baths are reputed to have?

2. What did the notorious criminal Catena once force two men to do before he killed them?

3. Overall, what is Montaigne's writing style like?

4. What is Montaigne's general perspective?

5. Why did Montaigne write his travel journals?

6. What does Montaigne say about the differences in the desires of men and women?

7. How does Montaigne say that he was able to deal with the restrictions of marriage?

8. What church promotion occurred in Trent while Montaigne was there?

9. Describe the culture of public bathing that is discussed in Montaigne's journal.

10. What was Montaigne interested in learning about in Trent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Along with virtues, Montaigne is interested in the concept of vices. He defines strict rules for determining whether or not a bad habit can be considered a vice, and discusses the effects that these behaviors have on the spiritual life of a human being.

1) Explain what, according to Montaigne, constitutes a vice. Discuss the differences that Montaigne sees between habits that are simply poorly judged or looked down upon, and actual vices.

2) Explain the relationship that Montaigne sees between sin and vice.

3) Discuss the impact that Montaigne believes vices have on a person's life, in terms of their physical well-being, their relationships, and their spiritual life.

Essay Topic 2

Entering into marriage, Montaigne did not expect to be a good husband. However, he exceeded his own expectations and became very interested in the subject of marriage, writing extensively about it in several essays.

1) Discuss Montaigne's opinion of marriage and how it changed over the course of his life.

2) Explain the differences that Montaigne sees in how men and women are prepared for married life.

3) Discuss the warnings and recommendations that Montaigne gives to both men and women for entering into married life. What are his reasons for giving this advice?

4) Assess how Montaigne's opinions would be viewed in the broader context of the culture of his time. Was he progressive or conservative? Did he believe in women's rights in marriage, or was he dismissive of them?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout his life, Montaigne was touched by the effects of death, and mortality was a constant but understated part of his thoughts and beliefs.

1) Summarize the losses that Montaigne experienced during his lifetime.

2) Discuss the impact that these losses had on Montaigne, and the reasons he had for avoiding writing about them in his works.

3) Describe the effect that mortality had on Montaigne's thinking and his works.

4) Describe how Montaigne was able to cope with the frequent loss of life that he witnessed.

(see the answer keys)

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