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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. How do the Strangers arrive in Chapter 11?

2. How many Strangers are there arriving in Chapter 11?

3. What is the name of the priest who comes and speaks to Grendel after the ceremony in Chapter 9?

4. In Chapter 10, What does Hengest take from Finn?

5. What is Grendel's law?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship between Hrothgar and Wealtheow? Are they a happy couple?

2. In Chapter 12, discuss Grendel's interpretation of why his mother does not answer him as he calls for her while fighting the Stranger.

3. Describe Grendel's reaction to the Strangers. How does he feel about the lead Stranger?

4. What do Wealtheow's words to the sleeping Hrothulf mean?

5. Describe the effect Wealtheow has on Hrothgar's hall.

6. Compare the bowsman hunting the hart to the priest coming to Grendel in the ring of gods.

7. Describe the lead Stranger. How does he act? What does he look like?

8. Discuss the sentiment that bread-thieves die while murderers go free. What is meant by this statement?

9. Discuss Ork's behavior as he talks about the King of Gods.

10. Discuss the priests' reaction to Ork's tale of speaking with the Great Destroyer.

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

Discuss the role of the dragon. Why did the author use this particular creature to teach Grendel? Do you find the scenes with the dragon necessary? Does the dragon's intelligence reduce Grendel to the level of the bull he mocked earlier?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Grendel given a name but the Stranger never is? How was Grendel named? Who named Grendel?

(see the answer keys)

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