Battle with Grendel
What did Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do before he died?
What is to go and get the treasure so he can see his reward or to build him a monument by the sea so all can remember his name
Wiglaf
repetition of beginning sounds
alliteration
true or false: Wiglaf thinks he and his comrades should help Beowulf fight the dragon because then they can claim the treasure.
What is False: He thinks they will help because they had already promised to repay Beowulf's kindness with their lives
Gave Hrunting to Beowulf
Unferth
What happens to the dragon's treasure?
What is it is buried in the monument/tower they built for beowulf
How does Beowulf kill the dragon?
What is he cuts him in half
descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned
what is an epithet?
King of the Geats
What is Higlac
This is the specific number of Geats (including Beowulf) who sail to the land of the Danes to fight Grendel.
What is 15
Grendel’s mother kills and kidnaps this man, Hrothgar’s "soul-companion" and dearest mentor, to avenge her son.
Who is Aeschere?
This is the specific type of metal Beowulf orders his new shield to be made of, knowing wood would burn instantly.
What is iron?
This term refers to the "thanes" or warriors who are the loyal followers of a Germanic lord.
What is a retainer (or comitatus member)?
This is the name of Beowulf’s father, a famous warrior who once started a feud with the Wylfings.
Who is Ecgtheow?
Grendel’s home is described as being in the "hell-serf’s" territory, a direct reference to his lineage from this biblical murderer.
Who is Cain?
Beowulf wears this specific piece of equipment that protects his life when Grendel’s mother tries to "stab through" it with her whetted knife.
What is his chain-mail shirt (or corselet)?
Beowulf’s final blow to the dragon is delivered using this "short-sword" or "war-knife" he kept in his belt.
What is a naex (or seax)?
This is the specific Old English word for the "fate" that "goes ever as it must."
What is wyrd?
This is the "golden torque" or necklace Wealhtheow gives to Beowulf, which he later gives to his own king, Hygelac.
What is the Brosing’s neck-piece (or the necklace of the Brisings)?
The poet notes that Hrothgar’s throne is the only thing in Heorot Grendel cannot touch for this specific reason.
What is it is hallowed/protected by God?
When Beowulf first strikes Grendel's Mother with Hrunting, the poet uses this specific term to describe the sword’s failure.
What is it refused to bite?
The dragon’s hoard had been hidden in the earth for this many hundreds of years before the thief found it.
What is 300?
This is the formal term for the "boast" or "vow" a warrior makes before a battle, often performed over a mead-cup.
What is a beot?
This is the Swedish king who was killed by the Geatish warrior Eofor, leading to the long-standing Swedish-Geatish feud.
Who is Ongentheow?
After Grendel flees, Beowulf is compared to this legendary dragon-slayer in a song performed by the court scop.
Who is Sigemund?
This is the "trophy" Beowulf brings back to the surface after the fight, since the giant sword’s blade had already melted.
What is Grendel’s head (and the hilt)?
Wiglaf predicts that because the Geats ran away, they will now be invaded by these two rival tribes.
Who are the Franks and the Frisians (or Swedes)?
In Old English poetry, this is the repetition of initial consonant sounds, which provides the primary structure of the verse.
What is alliteration?
This is the name of the "shining" sword that Beowulf uses in the swimming match against Breca (and which he claims killed nine sea-monsters).
What is none (trick question: he just refers to his "hard-edged sword," unlike Hrunting or Naegling which have names). Note: Accept "His own sword" if the student notes it is unnamed.
This is the specific material used to reinforce the "distanced" door of Heorot, which Grendel "unfastened" with a single touch.
What is iron (forged bands)?
The poet describes the mere’s water as being filled with these "sea-dragons" and "monsters" that Beowulf must fight off during his descent.
What are nickers (or nicors)?
This is the name of the specific landmark—a high "headland"—where Beowulf’s burial mound is built so sailors can see it.
What is Hronesness (Whale’s Ness)?
This is the term for a "peace-weaver," a woman married into a rival tribe to end a feud.
What is a freoðuwebbe?
Beowulf is a member of this specific clan within the Geatish tribe, named after the "shining" descendants of the hero Waegmund.
Who are the Waegmundings?