Who was the original author of Beowulf?
No one knows
Why does Grendel attack Herot?
He cannot stand the noise
In the scene that follows the fight with Grendel, who is brooding with grief and hungry for revenge?
Grendel's Mother
As the last section begins, how long has Beowulf reigned as king of the Geats
50 years
What is an epic?
A long narrative poem that follows the adventures of a great hero
What language was Beowulf originally written in?
Old English
What does Grendel hate the sound of?
Singing and celebrating
What does Grendel's mother take off the wall in Herot?
What do most of Beowulf's warriors do when they see he is losing the battle with the dragon?
They run away
What are the traits of an epic hero?
Embodies values
Possesses supernatural traits
Identifies a quest
Carries themselves with confidence
What is a kenning?
A metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a noun or name
Grendel shows fear for the first time when...
Beowulf grabs his wrist
Who does Grendel's mother kill during the night?
Hrothgar's best friend
What does Wiglaf do when he sees Beowulf faltering in his fight with the dragon?
Who is Hrothgar?
The king of the Danes
What is caesura?
A dramatic pause dividing words in a line of poetry to create a rhythm
Why does Beowulf choose not to use weapons in his fight against Grendel?
To make it a fair fight, since Grendel does not use them
Who forged the sword that is in the lair of Grendel's mother?
Giants
What is Beowulf's tragic flaw?
His desire for fame and fortune
What is Herot?
A grand mead hall
What is alliteration?
The repitition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
What wound does Beowulf inflict on Grendel?
He rips off his arm
How does the fight in the lake contrast with the fight against Grendel?
Beowulf uses weapons against Grendel's mother and she is not afraid of him
What is the universal theme of the epic Beowulf?
A good leader should be brave and fearless
Grendel is the descendent of what Biblical character?
Cain