Anglo-Saxon Background
How were books reproduced during this time period and by whom?
They were copied by hand by a monk scribe.
Who is Grendel a descendant of?
Grendel is a descendant of Cain. (Biblical allusion)
Where does Grendel's Mother live?
Grendel's Mother lives in a cave underneath the lake.
Who is Wiglaf?
A Swedish soldier in Beowulf's service.
What is a scop?
Another name for a bard-- a traveling poet/performer. This person would tell the story of the Epic of Beowulf.
How many years has Grendel been terrorizing Herot and the Danes before Beowulf arrives?
Grendel has been terrorizing the Danes for 12 years.
What does Beowulf use to kill Grendel's Mother?
Beowulf uses a magical sword forged by giant's to kill Grendel's Mother.
What does Beowulf take with him into battle against the dragon?
Beowulf takes a sword, shield, and armor into battle.
What was the early religion of invading seafarers?
Why does Beowulf say he will not use weapons when fighting Grendel?
Beowulf wants it to be a fair fight since Grendel does not use weapons. Beowulf also wants to impress Hrothgar with his strength.
What does Beowulf take from Grendel's Mother's lair after he kills her? (2 things)
Beowulf takes Grendel's head and the hilt of the magical sword.
Who becomes king after Beowulf?
Wiglaf becomes king after Beowulf dies.
What language was Beowulf originally performed in?
Beowulf was originally performed in Old English.
How does Beowulf kill Grendel?
Beowulf tears Grendel's arm off.
How does Grendel's Mother get revenge for the death of Grendel?
She takes and kills Hrothgar's closest friend and steals Grendel's arm from her raid on Herot.
What did they do for Beowulf after he died?
They built a funeral pyre for Beowulf, burned him, and built a tower in his honor.
Who is the author of Beowulf?
The author is unknown.
Why do the swords of Beowulf's men not harm Grendel?
Grendel bewitched the swords so they could not harm him.
What are Beowulf's men doing while he fights Grendel's Mother and what do they think?
Beowulf's men stand around the lake waiting for Beowulf. They think that Beowulf has been defeated because of the bloody water.
After Beowulf's weapons fail him during his fight against the dragon, what do his men do?
After Beowulf's weapons fail him, his men flee.