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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 the name of Hrothgar's mead-hall?

2. Why, according to Wihtred's law number 4, will foreigners be forced to "depart from the land with their goods and their sins"?

3. What is the name of the High Priest who "replied without hesitation in "King Edwin's Council"?

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

5. In "The Battle of Maldon," who does Byrhtnoth order to dismount?

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

3. Why does the author of the introduction to "The Elegies" state that "The Ruin" is "an antiquarian's delight"?

4. What is the Germanic Code?

5. Why was Hrothgar forced to close Heorot?

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

7. What is the basis of all elegies?

8. Why does Unferth challenge Beowulf's fame?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Beowulf and Grendel. How do each epitomize good and evil?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the Anglos were by trade seafarers. What did a typical seafarer face during their lives? What were the highlights of being a seafarer? What were the pitfalls of being a seafarer?

Essay Topic 3

Exile was a main theme throughout Anglo-Saxon literature. What selection from the text best represents the theme of exile? Why? Be sure to use textual evidence.

(see the answer keys)

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