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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 imagine the Stranger who fights him to be for a split second in Chapter 12?

2. Where do Hrothgar's men watch for an attack in Chapter 10?

3. What does Grendel discover about the second man he snatches in Chapter 12?

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

5. In Chapter 11, what does Grendel call the Strangers in their armor?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Discuss the statement, "By deeds worth praise a man can, in any kingdom, prosper!" (112). How do these words from the Shaper contradict what the dragon told Grendel?

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

8. In Chapter 12, who are Grendel's final words directed toward? What foreshadowing do his words provide?

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

10. Discuss Wealtheow's life at Hart and her unspoken feelings about her position as queen.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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