History & Background
The language Beowulf originally was written.
What is old English?
The definition of an epic.
What is a long, lengthy narrative poem that tells a story?
The number of battles that take place in the story and who Beowulf fights in each one. (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)
Describe how Grendel hunts.
At night, sneakily, stalks his victims, etc.
Who was Beowulf?
The author of Beowulf.
Who is unknown, but likely a Monk.
Bonus 50 points: Why is it believed that a monk is the author?
Orally or by word of mouth.
Location of the first battle. Why did it have that name?
When Beowulf emerges from the lake, the text says that it was a “weird and wonderful sight.” Why would that be?
Weird because Beowulf emerges with a decapitated, bloody head, but also wonderful because Beowulf was still alive and he was successful in defeating Grendel's Mom.
Who was Hrothgar?
King of the Danes; Tormented by Grendel for 12 years; "Joyless" before Beowulf' arrival.
Beowulf was written in this century.
What is sometime between 7th-11th century? (8th)
How is Beowulf an example of an epic hero?
Answers vary.
Give a description of the battle between Grendel's Mother and Beowulf.
Beowulf goes to her underwater lair and she almost kills him with a dagger. He is able to decapitate her only when he finds a magical sword. He finds Grendel’s body and cuts off his head to take as a trophy.
What biblical allusion is used in the poem?
The lineage of Cain - Grendel is a descendant and is therefore also cursed by God.
Referred to as "demon" and "fiend"; haunts the moors; descendant of Cain; feats on 30 men in the first attack we read about.
What is materialism and how do you know that the men back in Beowulf's time were materialistic?
They cared about the material things like money, treasure, or gold. After every battle, they gave Beowulf a reward and every decision was based on what they could gain.
The phrase "Shepherd of evil, guardian of crime," means...
A leader or protector of criminal and evil things. Grendel wants all of the horrible things to thrive in the world.
Why were the men's swords unable to cut Grendel's skin?
Grendel bewitched them and blunted their blades.
Secret places, windy cliffs, wolf-dens, underground, mist steams like black clouds, vines & trees overgrown and covering everything, dark, lake of fire, etc.
It’s very dark, mysterious, and gloomy. We know this is not a happy place and it makes sense for monsters to live there because it is hidden and hell-like.
Who was Grendel's Mom?
Seeks revenge on Hrothgar by killing his best friend after Grendel is killed; lives in the firey lake by Herot Hall; almost kills Beowulf with a dagger; eventually is killed by Beowulf with a magical sword.
Two parts:
1. How long did Grendel torment Hrothgar's men?
2. What is the only thing that could destroy Herot Hall?
1. 12 years
2. Fire
List four traits of the epic hero.
Noble Birth/Elevated Status
Superhuman Capabilities
Vast Traveler
Unmatched Warrior
Cultural Legend
Humility
Battles Supernatural Foes
Authority
Attractive
Intelligent
Stoic
Describe what takes place in the last battle.
The dragon started breathing fire at the men so they all ran away except for Wiglaf. Together, Beowulf and Wiglaf fought the dragon, but the dragon wounds Beowulf so badly that he eventually dies. Before he dies, he leaves everything to the loyal Wiglaf and asks him to make an elaborate tomb for Beowulf after he dies.
When Beowulf asks for permission to battle Grendel, he tells Hrothgar of his victories in previous battles. What are some of those victories that he mentions?
Drove five great giants into chains, chased all of the race from the earth; hunted monsters in the ocean and killed them one by one.
Where did the Dragon live in the castle and why did Beowulf decide to eventually battle with him?
He lives in Beowulf's kingdom (Southern Sweden); he is awoken by someone stealing a piece of his treasure and starts wreaking havoc on Beowulf's land in retaliation; he is an example of the materialism and obsession with treasure and gold back then.