| Hrothgar | Who is King of the Danes (Denmark)? |
| he repaid their loyalty with the spoils of victory | How was Hrothgar generous to his knights? |
| a huge hall, or stronghold | What did King Hrothgar build for this people? |
| Heorot | What was the name of Hrothgar’s stronghold? |
| to entertain the knights with feasts and music and protect them from enemies | Why did Hrothgar build Heorot? |
| they were gone and the walls and floor were splattered with blood and gore | After the night’s festivities, what happened to King Hrothgar’s guests? |
| Grendel | Who did Hrothgar say did this? |
| gigantic monster, part human, part devil, part animal | How is Grendel described? |
| of great goodness | What kind of person did it take to kill Grendel? |
| bottom of the lake forever in water caves with his monster mother and other evil creatures | Where did the magician banish Grendel to live? |
| Grendel killed them and carried their bodies off to the caves | What happened to the ten more knights who guarded the next feast? |
| troubador | Who escaped Grendel’s second attack on Heorot? |
| a part of Sweden called Jutland, the land of the Geats | Where did the troubador go? |
| Hygelac | Who is King of the Geats? |
| Beowulf | Who decided that he would conquer Grendel? |
| King Hygelac’s 18 year old nephew | Who was Beowulf? |
| a swimmer of superhuman endurance | What power did Beowulf have? |
| entered a swimming contest, storm created whirlpools, dashed against cliffs, nixies attacked him, Beowulf killed them all | How did Beowulf prove this superhuman strength? |
| clutched rocks with one hand and used his weapons with the other | How did Beowulf survive the nixies? |
| gave him his own precious sword | How did Hygelac reward his nephew? |
| Nageling | What was the sword’s name? |
| 14 | How many men did Beowulf take to Denmark? |
| he begged him not to undertake the mission | What was King Hrothgar’s first reaction to Beowulf’s decision to go after Grendel? |
| hand-to-hand combat | How did Beowulf think Grendel would be defeated? |
| Christianity and paganism | What two religions are practiced by the characters of Beowulf? |
| Cain | What clan is Grendel from? |
| In lines 1 and 2, what phrases point to Grendel’s evil nature? | “powerful monster””living down in the darkness””growled in pain” |
| Who are Cain and Abel? | The sons of Adam and Eve |
| What does Grendel do at night? | Snatched up men out of their beds, smashed them, and ran away with their bodies |
| How many years did Herot remain empty? | Twelve winters |
| What person is an epic associated with.. | hero |
| What was Herot? | the gathering place for the king’s warriors |
| Where did Grendel attack first? | Herot |
| What year was Beowulf written | 750 |
| When the poem BEOWULF was finally written, who wrote it | Christian Monks |
| To be spawned is to be … | born |
| the ancestor of Grendel is .. | Cain |
| Who did Cain commit the 1st murder with | Abel |
| What language was Beowulf written in | Old English |
| Who was the King of Danes | Hrothgar |
| What biblical book was the opening of Beowulf similar to? | Genesis |
| What is Grendel hoping for as he leaves the moors? | to kill anyone he could trap |
| the hall was “crowded with sleeping ____, stuffed with rows of ____.” | warriors/young soliders |
| The monster’s mind was hot with ____ and ____. | the thought of food/the feasting his belly would soon know |
| What does “fate” have in store for Grendel that night? | to gnaw the bones of his last human supper |
| How many men does Grendel kill? | 30 |
| What is the only thing that Herot Hall cannot withstand? | fire |
| Grendel screams, waking up the ____. When they wake they try to help Beowulf by attacking Grendel with their ____. | Danes/weapons |
| What is Beowulf using to fight Grendel? | his hands |
| Grendel escapes, but leaves his ____ behind. | arm |
| What is hanging from the rafters? Who put it there? | Grendel’s claw, Beowulf |
| Why does Beowulf allow Grendel to devour one of his best men in the night’s attack ? | To see how Grendel fights |
| A.How does Herot Hall hold up under the battle between Grendel and Beowulf? B. What could destroy it? | A. It holds up through the huge and powerful battle B. fire |
| Which of the Anglo-Saxon virtues / values (friendship, loyalty, peace and courage); does Beowulf display in the battle with Grendel? | Courage |
| What is the setting of the first part of the epic? | Herot (Hrothgar’s mead hall) |
| What familiar story is told by the speaker in the first 12 lines of the poem? | Creation myth (Genesis) |
| How was Grendel conceived (created), and where is he required to live? | Created by monsters descended from Cain. In a hell on earth; swamp; lair |
| In lines 23-29 what universal theme in literature is introduced for this poem? | Good vs. Evil |
| Describe Grendel’s attack on Herot Hall. How long have the attacks gone on as the story opens? | Grendel attacks at night. He snatches up thirty men, bashes them and takes their bodies to his lair. |
| What does Grendel symbolize? | Grendel symbolizes evil. |
| What part of Herot does Grendel avoid and why? | Hrothgar’s throne; He can’t touch it because it is protected by God. |
| What element of paganism is seen in Hrothgar’s people? | Made sacrifices to the old gods. |
| Who is Hrothgar? | King of the Danes (people of Denmark) |
| What is Herot? | A wooden, large mead hall where men of the community go to meet, celebrate, eat, sleep, etc. |
| Describe Grendel using 4 specific details from the text. | * powerful monster * demon, fiend who haunts the moors (marshy wild land) * spawned (given birth) by a pair of monsters descended from Cain* has great claws – tears apart and eats men/drinks their blood |
| What irritates Grendel and becomes his motive for attacking Herot? | The men are happy, enjoy music, live in nature’s beauty, enjoy each other’s company in the mead hall – all things he can not do/jealous |
| What happens to Herot? (lines 60-62) | The mead hall stays empty for years: 12 winters. It is constantly attacked by Grendel who would not agree to any kind of truce or payoff. Grendel would never touch the king’s throne because it was protected by God. |
| What does Beowulf symbolize? | Good |
| It was the place where kings and nobles would gather in order to celebrate, boast and brag, feast and listen to the professional poets. | What did the mead-hall represent to the Anglo-Saxon warrior? |
| A long narrative poem on a serious subject presented in a formal style. Beowulf is an example of an epic poem. | What is an epic poem? Give an example: |
| The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings or words.”The harrowing history haunted the heroes.” | What is alliteration? Give an example: |
| A literary device in which a noun is renamed in a creative way using a compound word or union of two separate words to combine ideas. Sky-candle (the sun) is an example of a kenning. | What is a kenning? Give an example: |
| A warrior or thane would pledge to defend his lord or King to the death. In return the lord or King would reward him with land and gifts. | What was the relationship between lord/king and warrior? |
| A formal exchange of insults. Saying something insulting. | What is a flyting? |
| A traveling poet. They told the story of Beowulf. | What is a scop? |
| Christianity and Paganism | Which two belief systems are present in the story? |
| The Geats (in Southern Sweden) | From which tribe did Beowulf originate? |
| Grendel comes from Cain (the son of Adam and Eve; Cain killed his brother). Cain committed the 1st murder in history by killing his brother, Abel. All evil things come from Cain’s heritage, including Grendel. | From whom was Grendel said to be descended? Why was Grendel an outcast? |
| He served Hrothgar. Beowulf’s father took safety in Hrothgar’s land after a messy battle at home. He married Hrohgar’s daughter and the gave birth to a baby named Beowulf. Hrothgar is Beowulf’s grandfather. | Whom did Beowulf serve? How were they related? |
| Beowulf’s father, Edgetho, was friends with Hrothgar. Beowulf believes only he is able to kill Grendel and he wants the glory and fame of killing Grendel. He also pays the debt to Hrothgar on behalf of his father. | Why did Beowulf feel the need to help King Hrothgar? Give both answers. |
| Unferth doesn’t like Beowulf. He is angry that any warrior anywhere has achieved great glory that he has. | Which of Hrothgar’s warriors was critical of Beowulf? Why? |
| Beowulf’s best friend from childhood. Beowulf beat him in a swimming contest. | Who is Brecca? |
| The mead-hall, Herot | Where did King Hrothgar’s warriors find rest and relaxation? |
| Denmark, the Danes | Where does Hrothgar rule? What is the name of his people? |
| He will kill him with his bare hands. | With what weapon does Beowulf intend to fight Grendel? |
| 12 winters | How many years has Grendel terrorized the King Hrothgar’s people? |
| 30 men | How many men does Grendel kill on his first raid? |
| He uses his hands to tear off Grendel’s shoulder, arm and hand. | How does Beowulf kill Grendel? |
| Grendel’s arm | What trophy does Beowulf have to show that Grendel has been defeated and where does he display this trophy? |
| Grendel’s mother | Who seeks revenge on behalf of Grendel and what is this revenge? |
| Any treasure he wanted. | What does King Hrothgar promise Beowulf if he rids the kingdom of evil? |
| In a cave underwater. | Where does Grendel’s mother live? |
| God is watching out for him. | How does Beowulf survive Grendel’s mother’s attack? |
| He fights her with his bare hands because his sword Hrunting would not kill her. He then uses a giant’s sword and cuts off her head. | How does Beowulf finally kill Grendel’s mother? |
| The Geats | Beowulf becomes the king of which people? |
| 50 years | How long does Beowulf reign over his people? |
| He wants fame and glory to prove his is still honorable and worthy of being king. | Why must Beowulf fight a dragon? |
| He is defeated by the dragon. | How does Beowulf die? |
| They run and hide in the forest. | Where are Beowulf’s men when he is fighting the dragon? |
| Wiglaf | Who is the only loyal follower who helps Beowulf? |
| Tower, or tomb | By what symbol is Beowulf remembered by his people? |
| He uses weapons less and less and uses his hands. He does things the hard way to please God. He is trusting God to determine his fate. | How does Beowulf’s dependence on weapons change over the course of the story? What does this say about his faith and strength? |
| Unferth’s sword that he gives to Beowulf. | What is Hrunting? |
| Germanic and Nordic empires | Which empire had a significant influence on Anglo-Saxon culture (positive and negative)? |
| Epic | Literature that created the oral tradition and praised the heroic deeds of the warriors |
| Archetypal Hero | The hero is a protagonist whose life is a series of well-marked adventures. • Characteristics:o Self-sacrificeo Endures separation and hardshipo Pays a priceo Entrance into a challenging worldo Returns to the ordinary |
| Creature of Nightmare | • Monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of the human mind (psyche)• Threatens the life of the hero• Often a perversion or desecration of the human body.Grendel is a creature of nightmare. |
| Loyal Retainers | • Servant who is somewhat heroic themselves• Protects the hero and reflects the hero’s nobilityWiglaf is Beowulf’s loyal retainer. |
| Characteristics of the Epic Poem | • The setting is big and vast, often taking place in different nations• A journey• Supernatural beings or events• Long speeches• Themes that reflect timeless values (courage and honor) and encompass universal ideas (good and evil, life and death)• Formal language (diction) and serious tone |
| Characteristics of the Epic Hero | • Descended (comes from) the gods or is of noble birth• Embodies the ideals, values and morals of the culture• Performs superhuman deeds• Performs actions that determine the fate of a nation or large group of people• Is imperfect• Learns a lesson• Is tempted by women• Is stronger, smarter and braver than other menHow is Beowulf like this? |
| Beowulf | Hero, protagonist of Beowulf |
| Grendel | Monster, antagonist of Beowulf |
| Grendel’s arm | Beowulf hung Grendel’s arm from the ceiling in Herot. |
| Unferth | Danish man (Thule for King Hrothgar) who challenges Beowulf. |
| Higlac | Beowulf’s uncle; King of the Geats. |
| Helfdane | Hrothgar’s father |
| Edgetho | Beowulf’s father and Hrothgar’s friend. |
| Thule | A person who keeps the king honest without the king having to say anything dishonest or rude to the guests of his mead hall.Unferth is King Hrothgar’s thule. |
| Thanes | Individual who pledged to defend his lord or King to the death; in return, the King would reward him with land and gifts. Beowulf was a Thane for King Hrothgar. |
| Symbel | Name for traditional rounds of drinking (to celebrate).There were usually 3 rounds of symbel (drinking or toasts):1. To a god2. To an ancestor3. Boasting of deeds |
| Frith | Peace. Women were the keepers of the frith (peace). |
| Morning Gift | Gift of land and wealth given by a future husband to his future wife |
| Herot | King Hrothgar’s mead hall. |
| Mead-Hall | The place where kings and nobles would celebrate and feast and listen to poets |
| Mead | Alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water; the drink in the mead halls. |
| Heathenry | The religion of the Germanic peoples; they believed in cremation (burning bodies after death) |
| Pagan | They worshiped many gods and were not exposed to the new and growing faith of Christianity |
| Christianity | New religion that promised an afterlife. |
| Scops / Bards | Professional poets |
| Alliteration | A figure of speech in which consonants are repeated, especially at the beginning of words |
| Metaphor | figure of speech that compares two things that have something in common; do not use the words “like” or “as.” |
| Thunor / Thor | Anglo-Saxon god of thunder and lightning; Thursday if named after him |
| Woden / Odin | Anglo-Saxon god of death, poetry, and magic; Wednesday is named after him |
| Burial and Cremation | Burial – Christian method; bodies are buried in the ground. Cremation – burning bodies after death; Pagans |
| Wyrd | Fate |
| Denmark | Setting of Beowulf. Hrothgar’s kingdom. |
| Sweden | Setting of Beowulf. Beowulf’s land. Geatland. |
| Danes | King Hrothgar’s people. |
| Geats | Beowulf’s people. |
| Hrunting | Name of Unferth’s sword that he gives to Beowulf. |
| 12 winters | Length of time Grendel has been terrorizing Herot and King Hrothgar’s people |
| How long did Beowulf rule as King of the Geats? | 50 years |
| Great Britain was invaded and settled by: (Name them all) | Angels, Saxons, Jutes |
| How many giants did Beowulf remove from the Earth | five |
| What is a mailshirt | The main type of body armor used by Anglo-Saxons. |
| How many men did Beowulf bring with him to battle Grendel | 14 |
| What are the name of the people of Beowulf homeland | The Geats |
| What Beowulf is the strongest of | The Geats |
| How old is Beowulf | 18 |
| Higlac is Beowulf ‘s … | uncle |
| Beowulf removed the sea monsters from where? | the ocean |
| What was Beowulf single request from Hrothgar | to purge the hall of all evil |
| define purge | to completely cleanse |
| What was special about the men Beowulf chose? | They were the strongest men of the Geats |
| Beowulf approached Hrothgar with a mail shirt and … | unarmed |
| What was the second conquest of Beowulf? | hunted and destroyed monsters from the sea |
| Beowulf wanted to battle Grendel equally by fighting? | bare fist and bare |
| Where is Beowulf from? | Geatland |
| How many men does Grendel kill in the battle with Beowulf? | one |
| Why can’t Grendel get away from Beowulf? | he has a tight, hard and unescapable grip |
| Why can’t Beowulf’s friends help him kill Grendel? | weapons were bewitched so they could do no damage |
| Grendel escapes, but Beowulf takes his _______________. | arm |
| Where does Grendel escape to? | his den in the marsh |
| What are rafters? | Sloping pieces of wood that support the roof |
| Why is Grendel unable to attack Hrothgar? | Hrothgar throne is protected by God |
| Why can’t the 14 soldiers of Beowulf kill Grendel? | The soldier’s swords could not pierce his skin |
Beowulf questions: review over book
February 23, 2020