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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 the pool of firesnakes protect?

2. In what part of his body is Hrothgar sick?

3. What are the workers replacing after Grendel’s attack in Hrothgar’s Hall in Chapter 1?

4. How do the men treat Grendel when he brings the corpse to them in Chapter 4?

5. How many men does Grendel kill on his first raid?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the location of Grendel’s home.

2. Why do you think Grendel is so offended by the Shaper's words?

3. How does Grendel feel about the brainless ram?

4. Discuss Grendel's personal transformation during and as a result of his first raid.

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

6. What is the significance of Hrothgar's name for his mead hall?

7. The dragon talks about fate, free will, and the consistency of time but encourages Grendel to change something. How does the dragon not heed his own advice?

8. Does Grendel have delusions about his own intelligence?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the name "Shaper" as applied to the hall poet or bard. Why is the title significant? What does the singer shape whenever he sings?

Essay Topic 2

What has caused the people's faith to falter? Why do they continue to believe in their gods/statues? Is this a natural cycle for religion to take?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the meeting between Unferth and Grendel in Grendel's cave and Grendel and the Stranger in Hrothgar's hall. Which encounter do you feel is more heroic? Why did Unferth fail while the Stranger succeeded?

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