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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Heloise say in Letter 6 that she cannot make herself do?

2. How many nuns are needed to run a convent, according to Abelard?

3. Who does Heloise say in Letter 6 Abelard should imitate?

4. What news about Abelard does the sender of Letter 9 relate?

5. How does Abelard define poverty?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Peter the Venerable's letter to the pope is the first interjection from outside of Abelard and Heloise. What is Peter the Venerable's role in this epistolary conversation? What is his authority in this relationship? How does his appearance change the correspondence?

Essay Topic 2

Make an annotated timeline that shows the events that led up to the story Abelard and Heloise relate between themselves. What other events were taking place in the world around Abelard and Heloise at this time?

Essay Topic 3

Describe who would find this work interesting and useful, and describe as well what uses this book could be put to? What questions does it answer? Are the letters of Abelard and Heloise artwork, philosophy, church history, or personal correspondence? Which predominates?

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This section contains 232 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample