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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. What is Grendel's law?

2. Who gathers around to watch Grendel die?

3. Who does the Shaper's assistant sing of at the funeral?

4. Who does Hrothulf meet in the woods at times?

5. What happens when Grendel touches the door in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Wealtheow's words to the sleeping Hrothulf mean?

2. What similarities do you see between the brief account of Finn and Hnaef and Hrothgar and Wealtheow's brother?

3. Discuss the people's view of religion after years of Grendel's oppression.

4. Describe the effect Wealtheow has on Hrothgar's hall.

5. The goat invading the mere can be seen as a symbol and foreshadowing. What does the goat stand for?

6. Discuss the priests' reaction to Ork's tale of speaking with the Great Destroyer.

7. Discuss the statement, "By deeds worth praise a man can, in any kingdom, prosper!" (112). How do these words from the Shaper contradict what the dragon told Grendel?

8. Describe the lead Stranger. How does he act? What does he look like?

9. What does Grendel mean by saying that it is just as pointless to kill Wealtheow as to let her live?

10. Compare the bowsman hunting the hart to the priest coming to Grendel in the ring of gods.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Grendel's state of mind in the twelfth year of his war. Is he going crazy? Has his power over Hrothgar overwhelmed him? What does Grendel make of the war at this point?

Essay Topic 2

The three priests represent one way of believing while Ork represents another. Discuss the differences in their beliefs and what has caused the discrepancies.

Essay Topic 3

Why is Grendel given a name but the Stranger never is? How was Grendel named? Who named Grendel?

(see the answer keys)

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