| What is a scop? | a bard |
| Which of the following is not a synonym for Danes used by the Beowulf poet? | Sea-Danes |
| What is the name of Hrothgar’s great mead-hall, the setting for the action of the first part of Beowulf? | Heart |
| Kinship relations are crucial in the world of Beowulf. The beginning of the poem establishes Hrothgar’s lineage. Which of these answers below describes Hrothgar’s lineage in the correct order from oldest to youngest? | Shield Sheafson, Beow, Halfdane, Hrothgar |
| Who does the poet name as Grendel’s ancestor? | Cain |
| “The men pushed off /on their wished-for journey in that wooden vessel” (line 216). This line, describing Beowulf’s departure from Geatland, is typical of the poem’s form and Old English poetic technique because | it features alliteration, it has 4 strong stresses, it does not rhyme |
| At the feast in Heorot, Unferth speaks of Beowulf, with whom he is “sorely vexed” (502). Of what does Unferth accuse Beowulf? | vanity |
| Beowulf in turn accuses Unferth of | killing his own “kith and kin” and cowardice |
| What weapon does Beowulf select to fight Grendel? | no weapon |
| What trophy does Beowulf claim at the end of his battle with Grendel? | Grendel’s hand, arm, and shoulder |
| What sin does Hrothgar caution Beowulf to avoid? | Pride |
| After Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar makes a long speech to Beowulf, in which he promises friendship and other rewards to Beowulf, acknowledges that warrior’s valorous deeds, and outlines what he sees as the best attributes of a noble leader. To furnish a contrast, Hrothgar refers at length to which figure, who is the very opposite of a good leader. | Heremod |
| Beginning at line 1441 of the poem, we hear in detail of the arming of the hero for his second battle. What animal adorns Beowulf’s helmet? Fill in the blank in the verse below: The shining helmet protected his head/set to stir up the sea’s depths,/seek that troubled water, decorated with treasure,/encircled with a splendid band, as a weapons-smith/in days of old had crafted it with wonders, set ____ -images so that afterwards/no blade or battle-sword might ever bite it. (lines 1448-1454) | Boar |
| According to Beowulf, what is it better to do than “mourn overmuch” (line 1385)? | Avenge one’s friends, achieve glory |
| With what weapon does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? | with an ancient sword from the monster’s own armory |
| With what battle-prize does Beowulf present Hrothgar as proof of his second victory? | the hilt of the weapon that killed Grendel’s mother |
| What does Grendel’s mother take from the hall? | Grendel’s hand and Hrothgar’s adviser Aeschere |
| Why is the last section of Beowulf missing parts of the text? | The manuscript was damaged by fire |
| How many men fight the dragon? | Beowulf and Wiglaf |
| What happened to Beowulf’s body? | It is burned in a treasure-heaped pyre, and then buried in a barrow facing out to sea |
| To whom did the treasure in the dragon’s barrow originally belong? | an unnamed people, who had all died out except the last man who buried their treasure |
| What action awakens the dragon? | A slave takes a golden cup from the dragon’s treasure-heap. |
| As Beowulf relates his battle with Grendel to Hygelac, what interesting new detail about the monster is revealed? | Grendel possessed a dragon-skin glove (bag) for storing his prey |
| As Beowulf is spinning the tale of his adventures amongst the Danes to Hygelac, he digresses for a moment to tell of a marriage that has been arranged between Freawaru, Hrothgar’s daughter, and Ingeld, king of the Heatho-Bards. The Danes and the Heatho-Bards are enemies, and this marriage is meant to forge new friendship between the two peoples. What is Beowulf’s prediction for the outcome of this marriage? | Freawaru’s presence in Ingeld’s hall will call up old memories of battle and destroy peace |
| Why does Beowulf present Hygelac with the treasures he won in Hrothgar’s service? | He has few other kinsmen besides Hygelac and Hygelac is Beowulf’s uncle |
| What is the role of noble women in this warrior society? Complete this sentence: A noble woman is | a “bond of peace to nations” (line 2017)one who will be a “peace-weaver” (line 1942)one who distributes mead and wealth in the ring-hall |
Beowulf Quiz
February 25, 2020