![]() |
Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Where does Grendel live?
2. Why does the bull attack Grendel?
3. What three things does the dragon know?
4. How does Grendel avoid the bull in Chapter 2?
5. What does Hrothgar think Grendel is hanging from the tree?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does Grendel feel about the brainless ram?
2. Why do you think Grendel chooses to spare Unferth in his cave and on subsequent raids?
3. How do Grendel's emotions play into his role as narrator?
4. Who proves to be more heroic during the encounter between Unferth and Grendel in Grendel's cave?
5. Why do the firesnakes guard the sunken door?
6. Describe Unferth's reaction to Grendel's speaking.
7. How does the story of Finn foreshadow what could happen with Hrothgar's truces with Hygmod and Ingeld?
8. What does Grendel do when Unferth falls asleep in his cave in Chapter 6?
9. Discuss the significance of Grendel's speech about heroes existing only in poetry.
10. Describe the hairless man and his function in the group.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss the author's choice to include the opening lines of the original Beowulf poem in his own retelling on pages 41 and 42. How does this technique affect the story? How significant is it that the harper sings the song as it would have been done in Beowulf's time?
Essay Topic 2
Why does the author suddenly begin using italics and telling the action from inside Grendel's head? What reasons do you think the author has for switching narrative techniques? Does the technique enhance or confuse your understanding of the story?
Essay Topic 3
Discuss Grendel's state of mind in the twelfth year of his war. Is he going crazy? Has his power over Hrothgar overwhelmed him? What does Grendel make of the war at this point?
This section contains 1,129 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
![]() |