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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 the Shaper sing of that upsets Grendel?

3. What do the people do with the remains of those killed by Grendel in Chapter 1?

4. The dragon says Grendel looks just like what when he is scared?

5. What does Grendel throw at Unferth in Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who proves to be more heroic during the encounter between Unferth and Grendel in Grendel's cave?

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

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

5. Does Grendel have delusions about his own intelligence?

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

7. Why is Grendel drawn to and repulsed by Hrothgar's great hall?

8. How does Grendel's relationship with men change after his visit to the dragon?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Now that Grendel has been terminated as a threat to Hrothgar, what other threats does Hrothgar now face? Are these threats easier to handle than Grendel? Do you think that Hrothgar should have been more concerned about his political position rather than Grendel's raids?

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

Discuss what Grendel comes to realize while hanging in the tree. Why is this realization important? How does this realization shape Grendel’s actions?

(see the answer keys)

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