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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who promises to come with "a thousand spears and a thousand shields" if the other should be attacked?

2. When Grendel's blood turns the lake red, what do Hrothgar and his men assume?

3. How does Hrothgar describe the Grendel lake?

4. Where is Beowulf when Grendel's mother arrives at Heorot?

5. Where does Beowulf see a "tremendous sword" in the lair of Grendel's mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think the journey of Beowulf's life changes him over time? Or, do you think his heroic deeds merely prepared him to be king one day?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining what an epic poem is and how this story fits into that definition. What characteristics of an epic does it have? Are there elements of an epic that are missing?

Essay Topic 3

What makes Beowulf an archetypal hero? What characteristics does he possess? What are some of the things he does that show he is a hero?

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This section contains 238 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample