People
People
Places and Things
Plot
Key Terms
100
The son of Edgetheow; serves in the fellowship of Hygelac.
Who is Beowulf?
100
King of the Danes; rules for 50 years before Grendel begins to terrorize his kingdom
Who is Hrothgar?
100
Hrothgar's great hall
What is Heorot?
100
How does Beowulf kill Grendel?
by ripping off his arm.
100
hint(s) regarding what is to come later in the plot
What is foreshadowing?
200
Competes with Beowulf in a swimming contest.
Who is Breca?
200
An evil descendent of Cain and a ogress
Who is Grendel?
200
a long battle shirt covered in hundreds of tiny, overlapping metal rings; type of armor that protected the wearer from deep sword, arrow, or dagger wounds
What is a "mail coat"?
200
What does Grendel's mother steal?
Grendel's arm?
200
The ancient word for God, fate, or the divine
What is "wierd"?
300
Hrothgar’s counselor and warrior; doubts Beowulf’s ability to conquer Grendel
Who is Unferth?
300
Beowulf’s kinsman; young warrior who helps the aged Beowulf.
Who is Wyglaf?
300
The name of Unferth's sword
What is Hrunting?
300
Why does Unferth doubt Beowulf's ability to beat Grendel?
Because of the swimming match with Breca?
300
The term for a descriptive phrase that is frequently repeated, such as “Wielder of Glory” (God); “Slayer of Souls” (Satan), “Ring-giver” (good king).
What is kenning?
400
The wife of Hrothgar; queen of the Danes
Who is Wealhtheow?
400
Hrothgar’s counselor; killed by Grendel's mother
Who is Ashere?
400
a very deep lake
What is a "mere"?
400
Why is the dragon angered?
Because someone stole a goblet from his hoard of treasure.
400
An honor code between a King and his thanes.
What is "comitatus"?
500
Hygelac's beautiful and hospitable queen.
Who is Hygd?
500
The founder of the House of the Scyldings (the Danes); the story opens with his genealogy
Who is Scyld Scefing?
500
a strong alcoholic drink
What is a "mead"?
500
What does Wiglaf do that allows Beowulf to kill the dragon?
stabs the dragon in the neck so that it cannot breath fire.
500
A payment required for one who killed either deliberately or due to manslaughter (accidental killing); the payment for the slain individual(s) could be paid in gold, treasure, or something of value or the family of the dead could take the life of the offender in exchange.
What is "werdgild"?
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