Characters
Plot
Symbols
Poetry Style
Historical Background
100

This Danish king built the great hall called Herot.

Who is King Hrothgar?

100

Beowulf kills Grendel by tearing off this body part.


What is an arm?


100

This great hall symbolizes community and civilization.


What is Herot?

100

Beowulf was composed in this early form of English used before the Norman Conquest.

What is Anglo-Saxon(Old English)

100

Beowulf is set in this region of Europe.

What is Scandinavia?

200

This Danish warrior challenges Beowulf’s bravery by bringing up his swimming match with Breca.

Who is Unferth?

200

Beowulf ultimately kills Grendel’s mother with this specific weapon.

What is a sword forged by giants?

200

Beowulf’s battles symbolize the struggle between these two forces.


What is Good vs. Evil?

200

Beowulf is written in this type of poetry verse.

What is alliterative verse?

200

Where is the only surviving manuscript of Beowulf held?

What is the British Museum?

300

This is who Beowulf first battles.

Grendel

300

After the battle with Grendel’s mother, this natural event signifies that the monster’s lair has been purified.

What is "the water turned clear and calm"?

300

The dragon’s hoard represents this human flaw.


What is greed?

300
This is a negative expression, often an understatement.

What is a Litote?

300

Which two religions are present within Beowulf?

What are paganism and Christianity?
400

The only warrior who stays to help Beowulf fight the dragon.

Who is Wiglaf?

400

The dragon begins its attacks because a thief steals this item from its hoard.

What is a goblet?

400

This is Beowulf's primary motivation.

What is fame and glory?

400

This poetic device, such as “whale-road” for sea, is common in Beowulf.


What is a kenning?

400

When was the only surviving copy of Beowulf written?

When is the 11th century?
500

Who is the king of the Geats and Beowulf's cousin? 

Who is Higlac?
500

Grendel’s first attack kills this number of Hrothgar’s men.

What is 30?
500

The treasure Beowulf wins from his battle with the dragon is buried with him, symbolizing this idea about material wealth.

What is the fleeting nature of material wealth?

500

The poem reflects values from this warrior-based social system.


What is the Comitatus(warrior code)?


500

How was the story of Beowulf originally passed along?

What is orally?

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