Characters
This hero travels from Geatland to help the Danes defeat a monster.
Beowulf
Beowulf fights this enemy with his bare hands.
Grendel
This theme is shown through Beowulf’s bravery in battle.
Heroism
This hall is the center of Danish society.
Heorot Hall
The story of Beowulf is originally told in this form.
Epic Poem
This king of the Danes builds Heorot.
Hrothgar
This battle takes place in an underwater lair.
Fight with Grendel's mother
This concept involves earning honor and glory.
Fame or reputation
Beowulf comes from this land.
Geatland
This type of language is used repeatedly at the beginning of lines.
Alliteration
This wise advisor warns Beowulf about pride and the dangers of power.
Hrothgar
Beowulf uses this giant sword to defeat Grendel’s mother.
The sword forged by giants, not humans
This theme is shown through the inevitability of death.
Mortality
This group of people are ruled by Hrothgar.
The Danes
A descriptive word or phrase added to or substituted for a person’s name, highlighting a key characteristic
Epithet
This young warrior remains loyal to Beowulf during the dragon fight when others flee.
Wiglaf
This is Beowulf’s final battle.
The battle with the dragon
This belief reflects the idea that life is out of our control.
Fate - Wyrd
Name a role primarily held by women in this culture.
Peace-weavers
Any domestic work
Bee-keeping
A compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning
Kenning
This messenger recounts Beowulf’s final battle and death to others.
The messenger/herald
How many people did we actually see Grendel kill?
Just one
This value emphasizes loyalty between a lord and his warriors.
Comitatus
What is the name of the person whose occupation it is to pass down traditional stories by word of mouth?
A scop
Name a common kenning for soldiers/warriors in the poem
Hall-Troop
Battle-thanes
helmet-bearers
More examples can be accepted if appropriate