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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 Grendel unable to approach in Heorot?

2. According to The Laws of Wihtred, who is free from taxation?

3. How many men does Grendel murder just before his fight with Beowulf?

4. Where does the author state that the emotional center of "Deor" lies (which lines)?

5. What does Hrothgar promise Beowulf for killing Grendel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened in 1104 regarding the opening of Cuthbert's coffin?

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

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

4. What were the two key relationships at the heart of Anglo-Saxon society?

5. What is the basis of all elegies?

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

7. What is the topic of the six "so-called Elegies"?

8. To whom is Grendel related and why is this important?

9. Why did Caedmon state that he left the feast and went to the stables?

10. What is the main theme of the poem "The Wanderer"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are three qualities of an elegy? Name the quality, give a textual example, and explain your choice. Why/how does the poem show the specific characteristics of an elegy?

Essay Topic 2

What are the qualities of an epic? In what ways does "Beowulf" exemplify the characteristics of an epic? Be sure to give specific textual examples to support your claim.

Essay Topic 3

Christianity quickly became the superior religion for Anglo-Saxons. What did Christianity hold for Anglos? Why was it found to be superior to previous religious thought?

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