characters
Who is the hero of the epic
Beowulf
Who does Beowulf fight in heorot
Grendel
What was the name of hrothgars great mead hall
Heorot
What is a kenning
A poetic two word phrase used to describe something
What theme is shown by Beowulf repeatedly risking his life to protect others
Courage
Who is the king of the Danes when Beowulf arrives
Hrothgar
What does Beowulf use to defeat Grendel
His strength and bare hands
What important warrior code emphasized loyalty between a lord and his warriors
Comitatus
What Jennings can be describe the sea
“Whale-road”
What theme is shown by wiglaf staying with Beowulf when the other warriors run away
Loyalty
Who is beowulfs loyal young warrior who helps him fight the dragon
Wiglaf
Where does Beowulf fight Grendel’s mother
In her underwater lair
What did warriors recieve from their lord ad rewards for loyalty and bravery
Gifts treasures and weapons
What literary technique involves repeating beginning sounds in nearby words
Alliteration
What theme is shown by Beowulf eventually dying despite being a great hero
Morality/death
Who is Grendel’s mother
A monster who seeks revenge for Grendel’s death
What weapon does Beowulf use to kill Grendel’s mother
A giant sword he finds in her lair
What quality was extremely important for an Anglo Saxon warrior
Loyalty
What is a reference to another person place event or story called
An allusion
What conflict exists between beowulfs desire for glory and his responsibility as king
He wants to prove his bravery but also has a duty to protect his people
Who is Beowulf’s father
Ecgtheow
What creatures does Beowulf fight during the final battle of his life
A dragon
What is “wyrd” an important idea in the Anglo Saxon culture
Fate or destiny
Why are kennings effective in beowulf
They make the poem more vivid and creative while adding to its poetic style
What does Beowulfs final battle suggest about the limits of human strength
Even the strongest heroes cant escape death and fate