| Who attacks the mead hall after Grendel dies? | Grendel’s mother |
| What happens when the warriors awake to see Grendel’s mother in the hall? | They instantly grab their weapons (did not put on their helmets) |
| How did Grendel’s mother react to being seen by the people in the mead hall? How many people did she take? | She panicked and immediately tried to escape (was filled with moral terror). She is only to grab one retainer before she flees Heorot |
| Who did Grendel’s mother kill? What is the significance of this? | Grendel’s mother killed Aeschere. This is significant because he was a good friend and advisor to Hrothgar (he was upset when he died) |
| How does Hrothgar react to the attack by Grendel’s mother? | He is upset and furious because the Danes are in danger again and he lost his friend. However, he realizes she has a motive for her attacks |
| What is the motive for Grendel’s mother to attack Heorot? | Beowulf killed Grendel |
| How are Grendel and his mother described? What is so important about this? | Grendel and his mother are described as fatherless outcasts. This is significant because in this society you are identified with your father |
| How does Grendel look in comparison to his mother? | Grendel looks as if he is warped into a man, while his mother looks more human |
| How does Beowulf try to raise the spirits of Hrothgar when he is down? | Beowulf tries to raise the spirit of Hrothgar when he is down by telling him that they must avenge Aeschere so his death is not in vain |
| Who is Aeschere the brother of? | Yrmenalf |
| What gift is given to Beowulf before he goes to fight Grendel’s mother? Who gives him this gift? | Before Beowulf engages Grendel’s mother, he is given a sword by Unferth (person who tried to say Beowulf was not a good warrior earlier) |
| What is the name of the sword given to Beowulf? | Hrunting |
| How long does Beowulf stay under water for? | About a day |
| What does Beowulf say will happen when he is given the new sword for the first time? | He will gain glory or he will die |
| True or false: The sword that is given to Beowulf does a lot of damage to Grendel’s mother | False. The sword does not do any damage to her |
| True or false: The fight between Beowulf and Grendel’s mom is a one on one | False. Sea beasts attack Beowulf |
| What saves Beowulf from dying? | His armor, because Grendel’s mother is not able to break it |
| Who is said to have decided the victor of the fight between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother? | God |
| Besides a retainer, what else does Grendel’s mother take from Heorot? | Grendel’s arm that was hanging in the hall as a trophy |
| What does Beowulf find in the lair of Grendel’s mother? | An ideal sword that had been made in the time of the giants |
| How does Beowulf defeat Grendel’s mother? | He cuts her head off with the sword that he finds |
| What did Beowulf do after he defeated Grendel’s mother? | He cut off the head of the corpse of Grendel |
| What happened to the sword that Beowulf found after cut the heads of Grendel and his mother off? What was left? | After Beowulf had cut both Grendel and his mother’s head off the blade of the sword began to melt because the blood was so tanted. All that remained was the gold and diamond encrusted handle |
| What do the Danes do when they see the blood rise out of the water? The Geats? | The Danes leave because they believe that Beowulf is dead but the Geats stay and do not give up hope |
| What do the Danes find on the cliff in front of the lake where the lair is? | The head of Aeschere |
| True or false: Beowulf takes all the treasure he can from the lair of Grendel | False. The only treasure he takes is the golden handle of the sword he used in battle |
| True or false: Beowulf takes the head of both Grendel and his mother | False. Beowulf only takes the head of Grendel back up because Grendel was the true target |
| How many days has Beowulf been in Denmark? | About 3 or 4 |
| How many people did it take to carry the head of Grendel? What does this show? | It took 4 men to carry Grendel’s head. This shows the strength of Beowulf as he brought it up with him by himself |
| What does Beowulf bring up from the lair? | Grendel’s head, the handle of the sword and Hrunting |
| What do the Geats do as soon as Beowulf emerges? | They take off his armor |
| When Hrothgar is talking to Beowulf about power, to whom does he tell Beowulf about? | Heremond, who behaved poorly to Ecgwala’s sons and brought no joy to the Danes |
| What happened to Heremond over time? | He lost his gold and power as he did not thank where he got it (God) and was not very nice to the people |
| What is a new trait that we learn about Hygelac? | That he is a young king |
| How many treasures did Beowulf receive from Hrothgar? | Beowulf receives 12 treasures |
| What do we learn about Hrothgar as Beowulf is leaving? | He is becoming very old and starting to lose his senses |
| What is now established after Beowulf’s deeds? | A permanent friendship between the Danes and Geats, even after their past |
| What will make Hrothgar big with the Geats? | His generosity (expected some in return) |
| As soon as Beowulf’s ship docks, what happens? | The treasure is brought to shore |
| What does Beowulf give the lookout from Denmark? | A golden sword (will earn him a high seat in Heorot) |
| Who is Hygd? What is she called? | Hygd is the queen of the Geats (aunt of Beowulf). She is called the daughter of Haereth |
| Who is Hygd compared to? | Queen Modthryth who is a terrible queen, but turns good after marrying Offa) |
| What does Hygd do for the warriors? What is this similar to? | Hygd pours the ale for the warriors, similar to how Wealtheow did in Heorot |
| What does Hygelac say to Beowulf when he returns? What does this mean? | Hygelac says that he wished Beowulf had not gone. This means that Hygelac values the life of Beowulf over helping the Danes |
| What does Beowulf do with all the treasure he was given? | He gives it all away, as he has his glory |
| What surrounds the lair of Grendel? What does thus symbolize? | The water around Grendel’s lair was on fire and there were sea beasts. It is a symbol of Hell |
| What does Beowulf do at the top of the cliff above the lair? | He kills a sea beast with a bow and arrow |
| What is the point of telling the story of Heremond to Beowulf? | The point of this story is to show that one can only have power and wealth for a short time and that one must be kind during that time |
| What does the sword that Unferth gave to Beowulf symbolize? | It symbolizes that they are friends and realize they are on the same side fighting a common enemy |
| Why does Beowulf say he is fighting Grendel’s mother | For treasure and glory |
| True or false: Beowulf fears death | False, he has no fear of dying in battle |
| What does Hrothgar say to Beowulf in the speech he gives him after Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother? | He says nothing is stable and that danger always is coming. Also, he tells Beowulf that no matter how good he is, death will always come |
| What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar after he returns to Heorot after beating Grendel’s mother? | Him and the Geats would like to return to Hygelac’s court |
| True or false: Beowulf has supernatural powers | False. His abilities were natural and God-sent |
| True or false: Beowulf was always the powerful warrior we read about | False. Beowulf was once a weak, regular person |
| Which hand did Beowulf take from Grendel? | Right |
| What was the name of the Geat that Grendel killed? | Handscio |
| True or false: Beowulf said all the glory he got was for him | False. He said it was for his king and his people |
| What group was a former enemy of the Danes? | The Heathobards |
| Who is the daughter of Hrothgar? Who is she engaged to? | The daughter of Hrothgar is Freawaru. She is engaged to Ingeld, a Heathobard (hopes to patch up the differences of the two) |
| How does Beowulf feel about Hrothgar marrying her daughter to a Heathobard? | He thinks it will not work because the Danes will show up the wedding with armor and swords of the dead Heathobards |
| Which Heathobard prince died, allowing the Danes to capture them? | Wethergeld |
| What did Grendel have attached to his body? | A pouch that was stitched of many dragon skins (foreshadows the next foe of a dragon) |
| What was significant about the armor Hrothgar gave to Beowulf? | The armor was his brother’s (King Heorogar), which was supposed to go to his son (Heoroweard) |
| What are new traits of the Heoric Code that we learn? | 1. Advising (advises Hrothgar and his sons)2. Skilled speaking (Hrothgar praises Beowulf’s use of words) |
| According to Beowulf who is his opponent and how long | Breca and 5 days |
| What can Grendel do | Invulnerable to weapons |
| What is a request that Beowulf has if he dies fighting Grendel? | That his armour be taken back to his King |
| How many men join Beowulf on his quest to kill Grendel? | 14 |
| The poem is set in? | Scandinavia |
| Grendel dies…..? | After returning to his lair |
Beowulf part 2
February 22, 2020