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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 translated Bede's "History of the English Church and People"?

2. What does Hrothgar promise Beowulf for killing Grendel?

3. What is the name of Hrothgar's queen?

4. What "paths" must the wanderer follow given "fate is inflexible"?

5. What is the author of "The Wanderer" searching for in his elegy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the order that needed to be followed to exact punishments and define laws during the Anglo-Saxon period?

2. Why does the author of the introduction to "Heroic Poems" call "The Battle of Maldon" one of "the best battle poems in the English language"?

3. What happened on Christmas day in 597 in Anglo-Saxon history?

4. What must Beowulf do to kill Grendel's mother?

5. What were the many reasons that Bede was renowned?

6. What did King Edwin say must be done before he would accept the Christian faith?

7. What were some of the common problems that lawmakers had to address during the Anglo-Saxon period?

8. What did one of King Edwin's men state were the differences between their time and the time of "which we have no knowledge"?

9. What does Beowulf do right after killing Grendel's mother?

10. Who was defined as the "most unfortunate man" in Anglo-Saxon society?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For many years Latin was the only written language to exist for Anglo-Saxons. Why was it important for the common man to learn Latin? In what ways did the emergence of the English language benefit the Anglos? Which language did the text deem more important? Support your answer textually.

Essay Topic 2

The text gives six examples of elegies from the Anglo-Saxon period. Which elegy do you believe was the most important? Why? Support your answer textually--make sure that your answer includes the characteristics of an elegy and why your choice best exemplifies the traditional Anglo-Saxon period.

Essay Topic 3

What are the characteristics of an epic hero? In what ways does Beowulf exemplify these qualities? Be sure to describe each characteristic/quality with a direct textual example and explanation as to why Beowulf is an epic hero.

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This section contains 875 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample