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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. Where does Abraham insist on going to find out about Christianity?

2. Why does the King determine that no one should ever know about all the men and unfortunate circumstances in Alatiel's life?

3. What do the brothers do to Isabetta's lover?

4. Who is Alatiel's next lover after Constanzo?

5. What does Ghismunda do when she sees her father will not look for another husband for her?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Andreuccio di Pietro travel to Naples?

2. How does Brother Alberto take advantage of Lisetta whom he calls Lady Halfwit?

3. What is the quandary the Florentine brothers find themselves in when Ciappelletto becomes so ill?

4. What are the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Lorenzo, the lover of Isabetta?

5. After becoming a widow shortly after her marriage, what does Ghismunda see her father, Tancredi, has no plans of doing?

6. How does Ciappelletto become aware of the brothers' situation?

7. What ultimately happens after Ciappelletto dies?

8. What eventually transpires between Masetto and one of the nuns?

9. How does Masetto come to the attention of the abbess?

10. What happens to Alatiel after she is taken to safety?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Why THE DECAMERON Should Be Required Reading. In your essay include the historic value of the book, the impact the book has had on modern novels, and the classic nature of the work. Discuss THE DECAMERON as a means of understanding the period of the Black Death in Europe and the attitude of living for today because tomorrow we may die. Conclude with why you think a reader is enriched by reading this particular work.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, The Sin of Getting Caught. Use examples from THE DECAMERON to show how the thing people are often sorriest for is that of getting caught. Contrast Peronella and Brother Alberto to show how getting caught is what brings a person down.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Attitudes About the Morality of the Clergy. In your essay point out from THE DECAMERON how it is assumed that many if not most of the clergy are morally remiss in having affairs. Compare this to modern times when clergy have been brought down because of their moral indiscretions.

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