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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. When Sir Gawain bends in front of the Green Knight to bear his neck, what sign does he refrain from showing?

2. What does the narrator of "Pearl" call himself in stanza twenty-one?

3. How wide is the axe that the man emerges from the cave with?

4. What does "the lord" say he would not take to accompany Sir Gawain to the Green Chapel?

5. What does Sir Orfeo say has torn Lady Heurodis's face?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Sir Orfeo plays his harp in the woods?

2. According to Pearl, why has God called her?

3. What does Pearl say will happen if the narrator accepts God's plan for him?

4. What does Lady Heurodis do to make everyone think that she is crazy?

5. Describe the gown worn by Pearl.

6. Why is the Green Knight green?

7. What does Lady Heurodis say happens while she is sleeping under a tree in the orchard?

8. Since losing the pearl, what has the "Pearl" narrator done?

9. What does "the lord" say regarding his refusal to accompany Sir Gawain to the chapel?

10. How is the narrator's pearl compared to Jerusalem's Lamb?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In some ways, Bertilak's castle could be compared to Eden and Lady Bertilak to Eve. In what ways, can you find that support the theory that Lady Bertilak is a medieval Eve? Who does she tempt? Why does she tempt him? What happens to the tempted? In what ways does Bertilak's castle represent Eden? How does this aspect of the story illustrate biblical Genesis?

Essay Topic 2

Truth is a main theme in both "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Pearl." Choose one of the texts and explain: 1) Why "truth" is so important and 2) How the message of truth is portrayed, and 3) If being truthful is the key to success.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character analysis on either Sir Gawain, the Green Knight, Pearl's father, or Sir Orfeo. What kind of character is he? What kind of characteristics does he display? In what ways do the individual's characteristics enable them to succeed at the challenges that they must face (or do they not possess the characteristics they need)?

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