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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 item does Sigrdrifa give to Sigurd?

2. What item does Thrym steal?

3. With whom does the ferryman argue?

4. What is the first speaker's name?

5. To whom is the Valkyrie betrothed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was seen in Glaumvor's dream?

2. What do the men do before going up against Sigurd?

3. What is the Edda's view on friendship?

4. According to the Seeress, who will avenge Baldr?

5. What incident occurs as Helgi rests after killing Hunding?

6. Describe what happened when King Hraudung's sons went out on a fishing expedition.

7. What things are promised to Frodi from the grinding of the magic grindstone?

8. How do Sigurd and Regin meet?

9. What happened to Gudrun after she gathered Sigurd's body?

10. Who were the three Valkyries found spinning near Wolf Lake?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Eddas can become quite confusing due to multiple spellings or variations of the same name. For example, Odin might be known as Odhinn, Woden, Valfathir, Father, Wise One, High One, etc. Give examples of other people/groups that may use alternate spellings or titles. Why is it a common occurrence? In what other cultures does this occur? Give examples from other cultures, as well.

Essay Topic 2

Odin often visited a Seeress for news of the underworld, the future, and the fate of all gods. Write an essay covering Odin's unquenchable thirst for knowledge or how the knowledge of the underworld was kept from someone as powerful as Odin.

Essay Topic 3

The tales in the Elder Edda are often repetitive. Some are retold in another point of view while others are almost identical to other poems. Explain the use of the repetition and why it was so common. Why do you think that the names and/or spellings sometimes changed from one account to the next?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 556 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample