What's In A Name
THIS Geatish warrior is described as a "boy who knows nothing of this terror" before his legendary feats.
Who is Beowulf?
Beowulf insists on fighting Grendel using only THESE, as Grendel uses no armor or blades.
What are his (bare) hands?
THIS central theme is represented by contrasting the fellowship of the Danes' hall with the dark, lonely lair of the monsters.
What is 'good vs. evil'?
Headley famously translates the opening word of the epic, "Hwaet," as THIS modern, attention-grabbing slang.
What is "bro!"?
A classic kenning that calls the ocean THIS is used by Headley when describing Beowulf’s journey to the Danes to "find a fight."
What is a "whale-road"?
THIS "Hell-dweller" is a descendant of Cain who terrorizes the Danes because he is pained by human joy.
Who is Grendel?
Beowulf hangs THIS specific "trophy" from the rafters of Heorot as proof of his victory over the monster.
What is Grendel's arm?
By reframing Grendel's Mother as a "warrior-woman" and Queen Wealhtheow as a "peace-weaver" with political clout, Headley explores THIS major theme using the female characters in the story.
What is 'identity'?
THIS three-word assessment is used to describe Scyld Scefing at the start of the poem: "There's a king, there's his crown! That was a...".
What is "...good king."?
Headley describes Grendel's motivation for his actions in THIS memorable alliterative phrase.
What is "he hurt, so he hunted"?
The setting for most of the story is in THIS hall, described as a magnificent structure worthy as one of the Seven Wonders of the World: "eight of seven."
What is Heorot Hall?
Grendel’s Mother attacks the hall in revenge for her son and kills THIS close friend of King Hrothgar.
Who is Aeschere?
The Anglo-Saxon concept of "Wyrd" often translates as THIS concept, governing the lives and deaths of heroes in the poem.
What is Fate?
Describing the underwater lair, the narrator warns: "No one born of man, anyway. Men can't go in... THIS is a...".
What is "...bad place"?
Headley utilizes the kenning "linden-board" to describe THIS specific piece of defensive equipment carried by the Geats.
What is a shield?
THIS King of the Danes, son of Healfdane, represents the "Almighty Big Boss" archetype of kingship but is helpless against Grendel’s raids.
Who is King Hrothgar?
THIS is the name of the sword Unferth lends to Beowulf, which ultimately fails to pierce the skin of Grendel's Mother.
What is Hrunting?
THIS theme is exemplified by Beowulf’s "epic boasting" and his desire to have his name "kissed by legions of lips".
What is the 'Heroic Code'?
Headley describes Grendel’s psychological state during his raids as being "mead-medicated" while the Danes were "untroubled by...".
What is "...pain."?
Using sharp alliteration to describe the dragon-slayer Sigemund, Headley notes he was known for "slicing through THIS and THIS".
What are "scales and skin"?
THIS jealous Dane and "barstool-brother" challenges Beowulf’s reputation by bringing up a swimming match against Breca.
Who is Unferth?
Beowulf eventually kills Grendel’s Mother using a massive weapon he finds in her cave, described as a sword made by THESE beings.
Who are giants?
The societal code of revenge or "blood-price" --also called THIS--is what drives Grendel's Mother to attack after her son is slain.
What is Wergild?
(Literally translates as "blood-money")
After his final advice to Beowulf, King Hrothgar—foreseeing they would never meet again—ends with THIS simple, heart-wrenching, four-word action.
What is "He let him go."?
During the battle in the cave, THIS kenning is used to describe the sword that fails Beowulf as it "sang its...".
What is a "war-song"?