| People of Denmark, where Grendel is | Danes |
| King of the Danes | King Hrothgar |
| Beowulf’s Father | Edgetho |
| Men from Sweeden, Higlac’s men | Geats |
| King of the Geats | Higlac |
| Geat, comes to Denmark to defeat Grendel | Beowulf |
| Loyal soldier who helps Beowulf fight the dragon | Wiglaf |
| descendant of Cain, enjoys murdering people | Grendel |
| mother of monster who attacks Herot, lives underwater | Grendel’s Mother |
| Beowulf’s sword | Hrunting |
| Hrothgar’s mead hall for the Danes | Herot |
| terrorizes Great Hall | Grendel |
| made of iron, wood, ivory, and gold | Herot |
| caught by surprise when attacked | Grendel |
| killed when head is chopped off | Grendel’s Mother |
| Healfdane’s son | Hrothgar |
| Higlac’s follower | Beowulf |
| Edgethro’s son | Beowulf |
| the afflictor of men, tormentor of their days | Grendel |
| Grendel – What tactics did Beowulf use? How did he win? | uses strength, no weapons; honorable fate, leaving it up to God, wins by hanging onto Grendel’s arm, detaching it from his shoulder |
| Grendel’s mother – Where did this happen? What saved Beowulf life? How did he kill her? What did he bring back to Hrothgar? | cave under the lake, chainmail shirt and fate, cuts of her head with sword, Grendel’s head and sword handle |
| the dragon – Who came to Beowulf’s aid? How did they kill the dragon | Wiglaf, Beowulf stabs the dragon |
| How was the original version of Beowulf passed down? | oral tradition |
| What impact did the Christian monks have on Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon literature? | wrote it down; added Christian values |
| Give at least 3 characteristics that define an epic. | Elevated language, long narrative poem, good versus evil, heroic figure |
| During Anglo-Saxon time, how would men become famous? | prove himself in battle |
| What two forms of religion are expressed in Beowulf? | Pagan and Christian |
| What do the Danes sing about which makes Grendel angry? | creation stories |
| What has Grendel been conceived from? Who is his ancestor? | Cain |
| At the beginning of the story, why does Grendel attack the Danes? What makes him angry with them? | they are singing of creation stories, reminding Grendel of his separation from God |
| How long did Grendel rule the mead hall? What season is associated with these years? | 12 years |
| In what way do Hrothgar’s men break comitatus after Grendel’s nightly assaults? | they flee the mead hall and do not attempt to fight Grendel |
| What object of Hrothgar’s is protected by God and therefore out of Grendel’s reach? | Hrothgar’s throne |
| Who is the king of the Geats? | Higlac |
| What are the three boasts made by Beowulf to King Hrothgar? | being victorious in battle, ridding the country of all giants, and slaying sea monsters |
| Why is Beowulf determined not to use his hands in the battle with Grendel? | honorable fight; Grendel doesn’t use weapons |
| What details are given to describe Grendel? | claws, head that requires four men to carry out of water, thought as quick as greed, delight in killing men |
| Despite Grendel’s fierce reputation, what is his first reaction when confronted with Beowulf? | desires to retreat, not expecting having to fight |
| Why were Beowulf’s men unable to hurt Grendel with their weapons? | skin is impenetrable by magic |
| How does Beowulf kill Grendel? | detaches arm from shoulder, resulting in mortal wound |
| Where do Grendel and his mother live | underwater cave |
| What does Beowulf hang from the rafters of Herot as a trophy? | Grendel’s arm |
| What is so important about Beowulf keeping Grendel’s arm and hanging it in the meadhall? | in memoriam to those who were killed in Herot by the monster, showing that the enemy had been defeated |
| Why can’t Beowulf’s men help him when his is fighting Grendel? | their swords are useless |
| Before Beowulf arrives, who are the only people who survive Grendel’s attacks of Herot? | Hrothgar, those who avoid meadhall |
| What drives Beowulf on in his battle with Grendel’s mother? | honor and glory |
| What saves his life in the battle with Grendel’s mother? | fate and chainmail shirt |
| What does Beowulf bring back with him from the underwater hall? | sword handle and Grendel’s head |
| What evidence are we given of Grendel’s size? | took 4 men to carry his head |
| Why is it important to Anglo-Saxons to have a poem written about their brave deeds? | to record their values of a warrior society for future generations |
| Who remains loyal to Beowulf in the final episode? | Wiglaf |
| When Beowulf hears about the destruction of the dragon’s rage, what is his reaction? | to fight the dragon alone |
| How does each of the monsters represent the opposite of Christian virtues? | Grendel – wrathGrendel’s mother – vengeancedragon – greed |
| Long narrative poem that chronicles the deeds of a heroic figure.Often passed down through oral traditionCharacterized by serious elevated languageReflects the cultural values of original storytellers | epic poem |
| legally binding arrangement of paying a slain man’s family to atone for the deed to prevent them from taking revenge against the manslayer | werguild |
| Germanic code of loyalty. Thanes swore loyalty to kings, for whom they fought and protected. In return, the king was generous with gifts of treasure and land | comitatus |
| glory for the King, community and self | fraternity |
| the kingdom’s capital and command center is HerotThis gathering place a large building with a single room, which provided warmth, light, food, drink, song and fellowship for a lord and his warriors | mead hall |
| Epic challenge, events coming in threes (this is one of three monsters Beowulf will fight in his lifetime). Good triumphs over evil. Legendary hero proves himself abroad (Quest) and becomes a wise and virtuous leader. | archetypal elements |
| main character | protagonist |
| person or force that opposes the protagonist | antagonist |
Beowulf Quiz
February 24, 2020