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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 is the name of Kjartan's first son?

2. Who aids Kjartan's brothers in seeking revenge?

3. What does Gudrun join?

4. What does Halldor give Bolli?

5. Who is furious that Gudrun is getting married?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bolli want to know about Gudrun's relationships?

2. Describe Ingibjorg.

3. What ugly fact about Gudrun's personality is revealed through the death of Kjartan?

4. What does Kjartan discover when he returns to Iceland and what does he do in response?

5. What is the prophecy about Thorkel and how does it come true?

6. How does Gudrun extricate herself from marrying Thorgils?

7. What mysterious statement does Gudrun say about her love for her husbands and what does it mean?

8. What does Gudrun do out of a desire for revenge and jealousy?

9. Describe Gudrun and Thorkel's relationship?

10. What does Bolli do that surprises Kjartan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Melkorka. What is her role in the story? What was the author trying to accomplish by creating Melkorka's character in the Laxdaela Saga?

Essay Topic 2

Describe some of the settings for the Laxdaela Saga. The characters travel through Norway, Iceland, Scotland and the Faroe Islands. Which areas do they settle in and why? Which do they leave? What is the overall setting for most of the story? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular cultural events. Why did the author choose to use these places?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of taking a spiritual journey versus just a physical one? Which characters embark upon a spiritual journey, which go on a physical journey, and which experience both? How does this affect Olaf, King of Norway in particular? Describe.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 684 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample