Troy University

English 2205 – World Literature before1660

Final Exam

Instructions: There are TWO sections to this exam—Identification and Essay. Remember to make sure that your answers are complete and are your OWN. I recommend not to use secondary sources in your exam rather demonstrate YOUR OWN understanding of the text. Check spelling and grammar and make sure you employ formal written English to complete this exam.

You must type out your exam on an MS WORD file and email it to me (as ONE document; do not send me part 1 and part 2 sepretaly). This is your final exam and you must show evidence of careful reading analysis in your answers. Also, I will not consider any requests for deadline extensions as your final grades are due right after the due date. Good luck.

Part I: Identifications (30 Points)

Identify and discuss the significance of FOUR of the following. Your answer should be precise and each one should be about 200 -250 words (points will be taken off for not meeting word limit). Remember to refer to the introductory notes before every reading in your text.

1. The concept of “Dharma” in The Rāmāyana

2. Sei Shōnagon

3. Shahrazad

4. “When that Aprille with his shoures sote/The drought of Marche hath perced to the rote”

5. Sonnet

6. Florentine Codex

7. “Universal dame”

Part II: Essay (20 Points)

Choose ONE of the following questions, formulate a thesis in response to the prompt, and write an ESSAY defending it in about 2 pages (single spaced, Ms word, point 12, Times New Roman). In addition to the content, your essay will be graded on organization, support, range of reference, and the mechanics of writing. Be specific and add plenty of examples to support your point of view.

1. Granted that it is impossible to extract from Montaigne’s view of the world a well-organized philosophical “system,” examine closely the meanings he attaches to any one of the following: nature, reason, justice, courage.

2. How are women portrayed in The Thousand and One Nights? Does “good daughters/bad wives” about cover it? Compare/contrast it with portrayal of women in the selections you have read in Paradise Lost and The Rāmāyana.