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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 are two men that part of Thorgil's group?

2. How many men are at the estate that Thorgil seeks sanctuary?

3. When Kjartan returns to Iceland, what does he discover about Bolli?

4. What will Gudrun give Thorgils in return for his actions?

5. Despite his emotional pain, what does Kjartan do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the final prophecy regarding Gudrun?

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

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

5. Describe Snorri the Priest.

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

7. What evil act does Snorri the Priest commit?

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

9. Describe Gudrun and Thorkel's relationship?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bolli and Kjartan are two of the most active characters.

Part 1) What is their relationship? How do they co-exist and how do they interact? What is similar about them and what is different?

Part 2) What are some events that Bolli had a direct influence upon? What are some events that Kjartan had a direct influence upon?

Part 3) Which character offers support to family members and how? Which one is stronger and in what way?

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

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.

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