View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which knight, known as pure and just, speaks with the first person who saw the Holy Grail?

2. What does Guinevere do with the prize from the tournament in "Lancelot and Elaine"?

3. Whose forces are defeated in the battle in "Guinevere"?

4. How long are the knights bound to search for the Holy Grail?

5. Who is engaged in battle with Arthur's forces in "Guinevere"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tennyson break apart from the medieval vision of love in "Lancelot and Elaine" - and essentially in the book as a whole?

2. Describe the allegory of the human soul in "Guinevere."

3. What is the principle plot of "Pelleas and Ettarre"?

4. What does Arthur think of the night before the battle in "The Passing of Arthur"?

5. What is taking place in the beginning of "Guinevere"?

6. What does Arthur ask of Bedivere in "The Passing of Arthur" regarding Excalibur? What does Bedivere do?

7. What is the story of the ruby necklace in "The Last Tournament"?

8. Who arrives before the tournament in "The Last Tournament" and what news does he relay?

9. What is Tennyson's viewpoint of the oath of marriage in "Lancelot and Elaine"?

10. Describe the allegory of Eden in "Guinevere."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the different themes in "The Holy Grail." This is perhaps the most symbolic story of the book. What symbolism is used? What imagery? How do these tie into the major themes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of "trust" and of "jealousy" as they apply to the stories of "Idylls of the King." How do these themes intersect? Give examples from the text in your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of "infidelity" in "Idylls of the King." How is this theme overriding throughout the stories? In what ways does Tennyson depict infidelity?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 925 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample