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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 Grendel do with the men he takes from Heorot?

2. What did Beowulf and his men cross on their way to Heorot?

3. What instrument does the minstrel play while Beowulf and his men are in the hall?

4. What kind of man is Unferth described as being?

5. How tall is Grendel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the people in the story call the Baltic Sea?

2. As Beowulf lies dying, what thoughts give him comfort?

3. Why does Beowulf say he snaps his fingers in the face of death?

4. What do Beowulf and his men see when they reach the cliffs on their way to the lair?

5. Why does Grendel retreat to his lair after battling with Beowulf?

6. What is Wiglaf armed with?

7. What happens when Beowulf strikes the dragon with his sword?

8. Why is Beowulf scarcely able to breathe as he fights the dragon?

9. When Beowulf and Hrothgar are saying their goodbyes, what does Hrothgar pledge to Beowulf?

10. According to Hrothgar, what cannot harm Grendel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

After the defeat of the dragon, Beowulf's people are left in despair at the loss of their king rather than joyous at the defeat of the dragon. What do you think this reaction symbolizes?

Essay Topic 2

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? Do you think Grendel's mother is a sympathetic or an empathetic character? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Hrothgar serves to magnify Beowulf's heroism. In what ways does he do this? What are the aspects of his personality or the actions he takes that show the reader how truly heroic Beowulf is?

(see the answer keys)

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