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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. Which race does the harper say creatures like Grendel come from?

2. What does Grendel discover after leaving the dragon?

3. Who comes to finally help Grendel in Chapter 2?

4. Why does the bull attack Grendel?

5. Who does Grendel scream for but does not help him get away from the bull?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the hairless man and his function in the group.

2. Describe the location of Grendel’s home.

3. What does the dragon say that changes Grendel's mind about approaching men? How does the dragon feel about Grendel's change of heart?

4. Discuss what the dragon tells Grendel about the thoughts of men. Who brings connectedness to these thoughts?

5. What do snakes symbolize in the novel?

6. Discuss the quote on page 7 where Grendel gives himself alternate names (shadow-shooter, earth-rim-roamer, walker of the world's weird wall). What does this signify?

7. What entices Grendel to Hrothgar's hall? Why is a part of him swept up in the merriment?

8. Describe how the men act/talk in the mead halls. What is the function of this behavior?

9. How do Grendel's emotions play into his role as narrator?

10. Describe the firesnakes. What sort of creature do you think they are?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's choice to include the opening lines of the original Beowulf poem in his own retelling on pages 41 and 42. How does this technique affect the story? How significant is it that the harper sings the song as it would have been done in Beowulf's time?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Unferth's character. Is Unferth a protagonist or an antagonist in the novel? Why? What traits does Unferth exhibit?

Essay Topic 3

Why does the author suddenly begin using italics and telling the action from inside Grendel's head? What reasons do you think the author has for switching narrative techniques? Does the technique enhance or confuse your understanding of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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