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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. In Chapter 7, what happens to the bear?

2. What happens to the Shaper in Chapter 10?

3. What does the Stranger tell Grendel to write his poetry in, in Chapter 12

4. Grendel says that everything that happened was what in Chapter 12?

5. Who does the Shaper's assistant sing of at the funeral?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the people's view of religion after years of Grendel's oppression.

2. What does Grendel mean by saying that it is just as pointless to kill Wealtheow as to let her live?

3. Describe Grendel's reaction to the Strangers. How does he feel about the lead Stranger?

4. Discuss the priests' reaction to Ork's tale of speaking with the Great Destroyer.

5. Does the Finn tale function only to foreshadow what will befall Hrothgar? Who else could suffer a similar fate?

6. Discuss Ork's behavior as he talks about the King of Gods.

7. What is the relationship between Hrothgar and Wealtheow? Are they a happy couple?

8. Describe the behavior of Grendel's mother. How are her actions altered by Grendel's increase in power?

9. Describe the effect Wealtheow has on Hrothgar's hall.

10. Discuss the sentiment that bread-thieves die while murderers go free. What is meant by this statement?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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