People and places
Who is Hrothgar? Explain his position, situation, and how he knows Beowulf.
He is king of the Danes. Grendel is attacking his mead hall. Beowulf owes him a favor for helping his father settle a blood feud.
How does Grendel die?
Beowulf tears off his arm and he bleeds out later on in his lair.
What is a kenning? Give an example.
Compound expression with metaphorical meaning.
What do the monsters overall represent in the story?
Evil, destruction, outsiderness, and sin.
Who is Wealtheow? Compare/contrast her with another female character from the story.
The gracious and humble queen of the Danes. Can be compared to multiple characters.
What are two details about Beowulf's fight with Grendel's mom?
Responses may vary.
What does Beowulf hang from the rafters in Heorot?
Grendel's arm
What does the dragon represent? Explain.
Greed
Who is Beowulf's king and queen at the start of the story?
King Hygelac and Queen Hygd. Side note: Hygelac and Beowulf are related.
How did the dragon's hoard of gold get there? How was the dragon disturbed?
It was left by the last remaining member of a race that no longer saw use for the treasure without a community; it is disturbed when an escaping slave steals a goblet.
How does Beowulf become king? How long does he rule?
He becomes king only after the others in the line before him have died. He rules for 50 years.
What do the swords represent?
Power, or failing power if the sword breaks.
Where are the Danes from? Where are Beowulf's people from (the name during the time of the story as well as the modern day name for the country)?
Danes are from Denmark; Beowulf is from Geatland, modern day Southern Sweden.
What is the name of Beowulf's sword that he takes with him to fight the dragon? What happens to it and what does this event represent?
Naegling; it snaps in half during the fight, representing Beowulf's decline from power.
Give two facts about the poem Beowulf itself.
It was originally passed down orally and reflects the tradition of telling stories in mead halls.
The original transcript was almost lost in a fire.
It was changed from its original version when first written down.
Some of the people/places likely existed.
What does 'wyrd' mean and how is this theme represented in Beowulf? What are other themes that could be associated with this?
People do not have control over what happens in life. Mortality, legacy.
Who does Beowulf name his heir? What signifies this event?
Wiglaf; as Beowulf is dying, he passes Wiglaf his torque and armor and tells him to take care of his people.
What is the name of Beowulf's sword given to him by Unferth? How is it used in the story?
Hrunting; it is a powerful ancestral blade. The sword is meant to be used against Grendel's mom, but due to its heathen origins it cannot harm her. Instead, Beowulf slays her with another sword found in the lair, which represents fate and divine intervention (it was placed there by God for Beowulf, therefore the only weapon able to harm Grendel's mom).
What does it mean when a text has been redacted? How was Beowulf redacted? Give an example.
It has been edited and changed from its original version; the Christian monks removed many of the Pagan elements and added Christianity, but there are still mentions of old gods, elves, and giants.
What is a theme in Beowulf based on the word 'loyalty'? Which character best represents this in the story and why?
Answers may vary; Wiglaf.