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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. Who dies in the Breidafjord?

2. When Thorgils goes to Helgi's house, what does Helgi do?

3. What is offered as compensation for the death of Helgi?

4. Who is necessary to enact Gudrun's plan?

5. When Bolli wishes to kill the Olafsson brothers, what does Snorri argue is sufficient?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Thorgils get the help of other soldiers involved in Bolli's death?

4. Describe Snorri the Priest.

5. How does the family feud end?

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

7. What evil act does Snorri the Priest commit?

8. Describe Thorgils Holluson.

9. What does Olaf the Peacock do after Kjartan's death?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Property plays a significant role in the Laxdaela Saga, handed down from one generation to the next, annexed by conquerors, legislated by the law, divided among offspring and fought over in violent duels. Discuss the changing circumstances of Icelandic settlement in the Commonwealth period, where the individual and collective had to adapt to new circumstances such as a new religious order and laws governing marriage, divorce and inheritances. Do you find that the Laexdala Saga offers you enough background to fully grasp the socioeconomic, political, and cultural changes sweeping Iceland at the time?

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

Describe the role of the family in the Laxdaela Saga. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How typical is this family of most Scandinavian families living today in Iceland? Do some research to assist in your writing.

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This section contains 878 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample