The First Monster
When Grendel attacked Herot, the Danes were singing about this.
What is God's creation (or the book of Genesis)
Grendel’s mother lives in this kind of foreboding underwater location.
What is a swamp (or underwater lair)?
In his last battle, Beowulf fights this type of creature.
What is a dragon?
A kenning is a type of figurative language often found in Old English poetry that typically combines these two parts of speech.
What are nouns?
Grendel is said to be a descendant of Cain, making this an allusion to this religious text.
What is the bible?
On the first night that Grendel attacked the Danes, this is the amount of Danes he slaughtered.
What is 30?
Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother using this weapon, found in her lair.
What is a giant’s sword?
Beowulf’s final battle takes place after he has ruled the Geats for this many years.
What is fifty years?
In Beowulf, the sea is often referred to by this kenning.
What is the "whale-road?"
Beowulf’s battle with the dragon is often compared to the stories of these classical mythological figures, who also fought dragons.
Who are Hercules (or Perseus)?
Grendel is described as a descendant of this biblical figure, cursed for murdering his brother.
Who is Cain?
After her son’s death, Grendel’s mother kills this character as a symbol of revenge.
Who is Aescher (Hrothgar's closest friend)
This brave young warrior stays to help Beowulf fight the dragon, while others flee.
Who is Wiglaf?
Beowulf is often referred to as a “ring-giver,” which is a kenning for this.
What is a king (or lord)?
The treasure Beowulf wins after killing the dragon might be an allusion to this epic mythological figure known for his cursed treasure.
Who is King Midas
Grendel’s attacks on the Danes were driven by this feeling, stemming from the joy he hears in the mead hall.
What is jealousy (or envy)?
Unlike her son, Grendel’s mother attacks Heorot only for this reason.
What is vengeance?
Beowulf is mortally wounded during the fight by this.
What is the dragon’s venomous bite?
This kenning, “sky-candle,” is used to describe this celestial object.
What is the sun?
Beowulf's followers abandoning him in his last battle, except for Wiglaf, is considered an allusion to this biblical event.
What are the 12 disciples abandoning Jesus during his crucifixion?
Grendel is impervious to these weapons, making Beowulf’s choice to fight him with his bare hands more heroic.
What are swords?
Grendel's mother used this item to try to stab Beowulf but was unsuccessful because of this other item.
What is a dagger and Beowulf's mail shirt?
Before dying, Beowulf asks Wiglaf to bring him this, a symbol of his final victory.
What is the dragon’s treasure (or gold)?
The phrase "battle-sweat" in Beowulf is a kenning for this.
What is blood?
Beowulf's finding of the giant sword in Grendel's mother's lair alludes to this.
What is Mjolnir (Thor's hammer)