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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. In Chapter 7, Grendel counts his blessings but they are all numbered how?

2. In Chapter 11, what does Hrothgar call the lead Stranger that upsets several people in the hall?

3. In Chapter 7, How does Grendel resolve to kill Wealtheow?

4. Who is Hrothgar's younger brother?

5. Why have the Strangers come in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the people's view of religion after years of Grendel's oppression.

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

3. How do the Danes respond to the arrival of the Geats?

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

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

6. Describe the behavior of Grendel's mother. How are her actions altered by Grendel's increase in power?

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

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

9. What similarities do you see between the brief account of Finn and Hnaef and Hrothgar and Wealtheow's brother?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Grendel's state of mind in the twelfth year of his war. Is he going crazy? Has his power over Hrothgar overwhelmed him? What does Grendel make of the war at this point?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Grendel's relationship with his mother when he is young. How does she treat him? How does this affect his adulthood? How does their relationship shift as he grows older?

Essay Topic 3

Use what you know of Grendel's mother and her relationship to her son to speculate about what she will do when she discovers the harm done to her son. Do you think she would be upset? Why or why not?

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