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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. Who does the author in the introduction to the Laws section say, "most of us" need to turn to in order to "establish the exact wording of a law"?

2. When does the author believe that "Waldere" was written?

3. Whose translation of "The Wanderer" is best known?

4. Who is jealous of Beowulf?

5. Other than paying six shillings to his lord for riding "on his own business on that day," what can a servant choose as his punishment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Caedmon state that he left the feast and went to the stables?

2. What happened in 1104 regarding the opening of Cuthbert's coffin?

3. What were the two key relationships at the heart of Anglo-Saxon society?

4. What does Beowulf say about his upcoming battle with Grendel?

5. What does Beowulf do right after killing Grendel's mother?

6. What did one of King Edwin's men state were the differences between their time and the time of "which we have no knowledge"?

7. What purpose did the scop have in Anglo-Saxon history?

8. What is the topic of the six "so-called Elegies"?

9. Why does the author of the introduction to "Heroic Poems" call "The Battle of Maldon" one of "the best battle poems in the English language"?

10. Why does the author of the introduction to "The Elegies" state that "The Ruin" is "an antiquarian's delight"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Exile was a main theme throughout Anglo-Saxon literature. What selection from the text best represents the theme of exile? Why? Be sure to use textual evidence.

Essay Topic 2

Religion seemed to have saved the lives of many a seafaring man. Compare the religious thought in both "The Wanderer" and "The Seafarer." How are the authors' thoughts similar? In what ways was religion necessary for survival?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the riddles presented in "I Saw a Strange Creature..." Look at the final page from the section and list the author's possible answer to the riddle. Choose a contrasting answer for the riddle. Support your answer in a fully developed essay paying special attention to specific textual evidence that supports your answer.

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This section contains 863 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample