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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. Who is the thane who boldly opposes Grendel?

2. What does Grendel do with Unferth when he comes to the cave?

3. What do the men think Grendel's blood is in Chapter 2?

4. How long has Grendel been at war with humans in Chapter 1?

5. Where does Grendel go at the end of Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Grendel have delusions about his own intelligence?

2. Why do the firesnakes guard the sunken door?

3. How does the story of Finn foreshadow what could happen with Hrothgar's truces with Hygmod and Ingeld?

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

5. Describe Unferth's reaction to Grendel's speaking.

6. How does Grendel's meeting with the dragon help him define his role in the world of men?

7. How is the dragon’s appearance described?

8. What does Grendel hope his mother will tell him someday? Why doesn't she?

9. 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?

10. Why do you think Grendel chooses to spare Unferth in his cave and on subsequent raids?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Grendel’s observation that animals see life without observing it. According to Grendel, animals make no distinctions in their lives. What implications does this hold for men? For Grendel himself?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Hrothgar's rise to power. What did it do to the land? How did it alter the outlying villages? How are Hrothgar’s subjects’ lives changed?

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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