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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 does Beowulf say his spears are made of?

2. How tall is Grendel?

3. What does Grendel do with the men he takes from Heorot?

4. How long does Unferth say Beowulf wallowed at sea?

5. What does Beowulf do when the celebration after Grendel's defeat ends?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Hrothgar and his men surprised when Beowulf returns to Heorot with Grendel's head?

2. What hope does Beowulf have for his future as Chapter 3 begins?

3. What item lights Beowulf's way as he dives through the Grendel lake?

4. What is the name of the man the watchman says will meet Beowulf and his men at the door of Heorot, and what is the man's position in the kingdom?

5. Who does the dragon live in a burial mound?

6. What does Beowulf do while he's traveling to the dragon's den?

7. How does Beowulf kill the dragon?

8. When do Beowulf and his men learn of the attack of Grendel's mother on Heorot?

9. What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar in an attempt to convince him to accept Beowulf's bid to slay Grendel?

10. How do Beowulf's men react when they see that Beowulf is faltering during his battle with the dragon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a point during the battle with Grendel's mother at which only God can save Beowulf. Why do you think the author makes it a point to state that God set Beowulf free? What does this saving of Beowulf symbolize?

Essay Topic 2

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? Do you think Grendel's mother is a sympathetic or an empathetic character? Why?

Essay Topic 3

There is some question as to whether or not Wiglaf will make a good king. What does this uncertainty say about the author's view of the stability of his changing world?

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This section contains 534 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample