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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Hrunting?

2. How far is Grendel's mother's lair from the windy cliffs?

3. When Beowulf enters Heorot, what two things does he present to Hrothgar?

4. At what point does Beowulf decide to enter the lake to search for Grendel's mother?

5. What does Beowulf do when he sees Grendel's body in the lair?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why isn't Hrothgar able to defeat Grendel without the aid of Beowulf? Formulate a theory and use examples from the book to support your theory.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

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This section contains 223 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample