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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 Grendel observe an archer killing in Chapter 9?

2. What does the Stranger tell Grendel to write his poetry in, in Chapter 12

3. What is the name of Hrothgar's third child?

4. The Stranger tells Grendel to do what in Chapter 12?

5. What does Grendel imagine the Stranger who fights him to be for a split second in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Does the Finn tale function only to foreshadow what will befall Hrothgar? Who else could suffer a similar fate?

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

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

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

10. The goat invading the mere can be seen as a symbol and foreshadowing. What does the goat stand for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the Stranger's arrival at Hrothgar's hall. How does this scene embody the idea of the "hero on the beach" as discussed in class?

(see the answer keys)

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