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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 does Thorgil pretend to be in order to gain sanctuary?

2. When Kjartan returns to Iceland, what does he discover about Bolli?

3. Who is Bjorn related to?

4. What happened to all of Gudrun's husbands?

5. How many men does Kjartan take to lay siege to Bolli's estate?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Olaf the Peacock do after Kjartan's death?

2. What mysterious statement does Gudrun say about her love for her husbands and what does it mean?

3. What does Helgi do to Gudrun?

4. Describe Ingibjorg.

5. What happens to Bolli, Gudrun's son in the final chapters of the book?

6. When Kjartan refuses a gift from Bolli, what ensues?

7. Describe Thorgils Holluson.

8. What does Kjartan discover when he returns to Iceland and what does he do in response?

9. What is Gudrun willing to offer Thorgils and in exchange of what?

10. What ugly fact about Gudrun's personality is revealed through the death of Kjartan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Melkorka. What is her role in the story? What was the author trying to accomplish by creating Melkorka's character in the Laxdaela Saga?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the role of the family in the Laxdaela Saga. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How typical is this family of most Scandinavian families living today in Iceland? Do some research to assist in your writing.

Essay Topic 3

As with many medieval tales, history is blurred by myths, legends, and religious parables. Compare and contrast these types of stories. In the case of the Laxdaela Saga, there are many references to myth. Research and find an ancient Scandinavian myth of your choice. How does this myth compare to one in the Laxdaela Saga? What elements are believable instantly and which elements seem more fictional? Describe.

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