The Canon
This scholar popularized Beowulf in the British literary canon
Who is J.R.R. Tolkien?
“Seek out gold and sit on it”
This Danish warrior, skeptical of Beowulf at first, later lends the hero his sword, Hrunting.
Who is Unferth?
The repeated consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a line, common in Old English poetry, such as "Wel said, sweet servant"
What is alliteration?
This first chapter sign features Grendel's philosophical encounter with a stubborn, silent ram.
What is Aries?
This type of poem - the genre of Beowulf - is a long, narrative story about a heroic figure's extraordinary deeds
What is an epic / epic poem?
"What was he? The man had changed the world, had torn up the past by its thick, gnarled roots and had transmuted it, and they, who knew the truth, remembered it his way–and so did I."
Beowulf challenges Unferth's story about this childhood acquaintance, with whom he had a famous swimming match lasting seven nights.
Who is Breca?
A two-word compound expression used in place of a noun, such as "whale-road" for the sea or "ring-giver" for a king.
What is a kenning?
In the chapter corresponding to this sign, the Shaper dies and Grendel is frustrated by a persistent goat.
What is Capricorn?
This is the more accurate term to describe the Angles, Frisians, & Jutes
What is ‘Early English’ (or “Englisc” or “Angelycynn”)?
“perhaps violence against violence–regardless of good and evil, right and wrong–is itself so foul the sword of vengeance collapses in exhaustion or shame.”
Who is Toni Morrison?
She embodies the formal role of the early-English peace-weaver queen.
Who is Wealhtheow?
This pause or break in the middle of a line of Old English poetry is a core structural element of the verse.
What is a caesura?
The sign of the Balance is featured in the chapter where Grendel contemplates his capacity for evil and chooses not to assault Wealtheow.
What is Libra?
Around this date, Britain ceased to be apart of the Roman Empire
What is the fifth century (400) AD?
“Hygelac’s kinsman kept thinking about / his name and fame: he never lost heart. / Then, in a fury, he flung his sword away”
Who is Beowulf, in relation to his battle with Grendel's mother?
His death eventually leads to Beowulf taking the Geat throne.
Who is Hygelac?
A type of mournful poem lamenting loss, death, or the passage of time; the final section of Beowulf follows the conventions of this poetic tradition.
What is an elegy?
The sign of the Water-bearer is featured in the chapter where the Geats arrive and Grendel first observes the quiet, cold intensity of Beowulf.
What is Aquarius?
The original bearer of the double headed eagle was this popular Black saint in the European Middle Ages
Who is Saint Maurice?
“a light appeared and the place brightened”
Who is Beowulf, in relation to cutting off Grendel's mother's head?
Name one of Hrothgar's siblings.
Who is Heorogar, Halga, or his sister?
The substitution of a related name for the thing itself, such as "iron" for a sword or "scepter" for kingship.
What is metonym?
In the chapter corresponding to this sign, the young Hrothulf contemplates revolution with his mentor, Red Horse.
What is Scorpio?