| A | B |
|---|
| What is a mead hall? | A center of community life, people imbibed, scops entertained |
| What is the poet alluding to in lines 5-13? | Creation in seven days |
| What literary device is used in line 31 (Went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors)? | alliteration |
| Describe the monster's thoughts. | As quick as greed or his claws |
| What does Grendel do to the sleeping men? | Snatched and killed the thirty men |
| What is the basic symbolism derived from lines 50-58? | Good vs. Evil |
| How long does Herot stand empty? | 12 winters |
| Who is Higlac? | Beowulf's uncle |
| Who is Beowulf? | King of Geats, and strongest of the Geats |
| How many men does Beowulf take with him? | 14 |
| What is Beowulf’s one request? | Let him fight alone |
| How does Beowulf intend to fight Grendel? | bare hands |
| What do you think is the purpose of Part 4? | Beowulf is the hero; he has self-control |
| What does Hrothgar’s speech tell us about him? | Hergar, Hrothgar’s older brother died and Hrothgar took his place on the throne. |
| How does this section end? | The Danes and the Geats were celebrating at a party |
| What is Unferth’s motive for challenging Beowulf? | jealousy |
| What is the purpose of Part 6? | This tells about Beowulf’s bravery |
| What does lines 305-306 say? | Fate saves - The living when they drive away death by themselves! |
| Who is Beowulf’s foil? | Unferth |
| According to line 320, what terrible act does Unferth commit? | He killed his brothers |
| Describe Hrothgar’s mood | happy |
| Describe Welthow’s actions | She served wine to the Danes and the Geats and Beowulf |
| Before sleep, what does Hrothgar say to Beowulf? | Treat this place as if it were yours and defend it against Grendel |
| Describe what Grendel does to the first Geat he comes to? | He snatched the first Geat, and ripped him apart |
| How do the actions of Beowulf’s men uphold the Anglo-Saxon code of honor? | They raised their swords ready to protect Beowulf |
| Why do the weapons pose no harm to Grendel? | Grendel bewitched the weapons |
| Why do you think Beowulf hangs Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot? | Proof of his victory over Grendel |
| Define pilgrimage. | Journey made to a place of religious or historical interest. |
| Describe Grendel’s and his mother’s lair as described by the king? | A secret place on a windy cliff, wolf-dens, with mist and groves of trees and a lake burns at night |
| How is this description different from the “picture” of Herot? | Herot is beautiful, glowing, filled with light, lovely with trees and leaves |
| When Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother, what characteristics help him remain unbeaten? | He longed for fame; he was angry and determined |
| What saves Beowulf from being killed by Grendel’s mother’s dagger? | The woven mail shirt |
| Do you feel sympathy for Grendel’s mother? | No; she's evil |
| How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? | Used a huge sword to cut her neck |
| What might the “brilliant light” symbolize? | It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil |
| What has Beowulf been doing since his battle with Grendel’s mother? | He’s the King of Sweden |
| What is Beowulf’s final task? | Face the dragon |
| Describe Beowulf as he sets out for his final encounter? | He wears an armor, dagger, sword, and shield |
| What one man stands to support Beowulf? | Wiglaf |
| What Anglo-Saxon ideal does this epitomize? | loyalty |
| What is the outcome of the battle? | Wiglaf and the wounded Beowulf killed the dragon and Beowulf dies in Wiglaf’s arms |
| What kind of tomb does Beowulf desire? | barrow |
| What attitude toward heroes is shown by the Geats? | They loved and honored their heroes |
| Anglo-Saxon period | 449-1066 |
| What did the Romans contribute? | They contributed roads, Christianity. They did not leave an organized government. They left in chaos. |
| Animism | priests of spirits and everything about nature. |
| Battle of Hastings | ending the Anglo-Saxon period by William the Conqueror |
