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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. Why does Marquis Saluzzo apologize to his wife?

2. Why does Marquis Saluzzo pretend to kill the children his wife bares him?

3. Who does Marguerite de la Riviere notice is missing from a ball?

4. Which of Boccaccio's writings does Rectitude allude to in Section 2, Part 52?

5. According to Rectitude, when will women attain perfection?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Lombard women prevent themselves from being raped?

2. What leads to Ghismonda's suicide?

3. What happens when Martina reveals her Christianity to the emperor who wants to marry her?

4. How does Judith save the Jews from Holofernes?

5. Who is Ulysses's wife, and why does Rectitude praise her?

6. How do the wives of the knights who helped Jason obtain the Golden Fleece save their husbands?

7. Why is Claudia's reputation compromised, and how does she prove her chastity?

8. How does Curia save her husband from exile and death?

9. What does Rectitude say to the idea that women are avaricious?

10. What is the result of Theodosina's debate with the judge Urban?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does Boccaccio play in "The Book of the City of Ladies," and how does he compare to other literary men that are mentioned throughout the book?

Essay Topic 2

How do Lady Reason, Lady Rectitude, and Lady Justice explain their use of pagan women as examples of virtue and honor?

Essay Topic 3

Investigate "The Book of the City of Ladies" as a feminist novel. How does it adhere to and differ from the typical feminist novel? What changes could be made to mark it more clearly as a feminist novel? What changes could be made to prevent critics from classifying the novel as a feminist novel?

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