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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 Helgi?

2. Whom does Thorgils recruit on his mission?

3. Whose fate ultimately is dark as the character moves back home and dies in mourning?

4. What happened to all of Gudrun's husbands?

5. What kills Kjartan?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gudrun's plans relate to her son?

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

3. What does Thorgend do to avenge Kjartan's death?

4. Describe Gudrun and Thorkel's relationship?

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

6. What happens to Gellir in the final chapters of the book?

7. When Kjartan refuses a gift from Bolli, what ensues?

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

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

10. Describe the conflict leading to Helgi's death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fear is an important theme throughout the book, particularly when unusual and unexplained things happen. Discuss fear as it is used in the Laxdaela Saga. Explain how fear relates to various characters. Does fear motivate characters to take certain actions? Does it lead to conflict? Some examples include Hoskuld's initial fear of shame for having an illegitimate son to Goddi's cowardice that invokes the wrath of his wife Vigdis.

Essay Topic 2

The Laxdaela Saga is one of the most well known of the Icelandic sagas. What do you find compelling, intriguing, disturbing, appealing and/or outlandish about this saga? Does it hold your interest? Why? In a saga, several characters are involved in a legendary and mythical adventure that is tied to the history of the region and weaves romantic elements in the narrative. What does the author reveal about the character(s) in these settings that immediately introduces the element of a saga? Describe.

Essay Topic 3

As with many medieval tales, history is blurred by myths, legends, and religious parables. Compare and contrast these types of stories. In the case of the Laxdaela Saga, there are many references to myth. Research and find an ancient Scandinavian myth of your choice. How does this myth compare to one in the Laxdaela Saga? What elements are believable instantly and which elements seem more fictional? Describe.

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