Characters
Who is the ruler of the Danes during Grendel’s attacks?
Hrothgar
How long does Grendel terrorize Heorot before Beowulf arrives?
12 years
Give one kenning for the sea
“Whale-road”
What value system bound warriors to their lord in Anglo-Saxon culture?
Comitatus (loyalty between lord and thane)
Define “thane.”
A warrior loyal to a lord or king.
Who is the monster haunting the moors and attacking Heorot?
Grendel
Why can’t Grendel touch Hrothgar’s throne?
It is protected by God
What device is seen in “mankind’s enemy” to describe Grendel?
A kenning (metaphor)
What theme is revealed by Beowulf sailing across the sea to help the Danes?
Loyalty and the heroic code
Define “mead-hall.”
A gathering hall where warriors ate, drank, and celebrated.
Who is Beowulf’s king in Geatland?
Hygelac
What is Beowulf’s reasoning for fighting Grendel without weapons?
He wants the fight to be fair, since Grendel uses no weapons
What sound device is found in “the sea, the sun’s bright beacon”?
Alliteration
What does Heorot symbolize in the story?
Civilization, fellowship, and human achievement.
Define “wyrd.”
Fate or destiny
Who challenges Beowulf at the feast by doubting his strength?
Unferth
What does Beowulf ask Hrothgar to do if he is killed by Grendel?
Send his armor back to Hygelac
What is a “caesura”?
A pause in a line of Old English poetry
What tension is shown by references to both fate (wyrd) and God’s will?
Pagan vs. Christian values.
Define “epic hero.”
A larger-than-life figure who embodies cultural values and performs heroic deeds
Who is Wulfgar and what role does he play when Beowulf arrives?
Wulfgar is Hrothgar’s herald who greets Beowulf and escorts him to the king
What proof of victory does Beowulf display in Heorot after defeating Grendel?
Grendel’s arm/claw, torn off in battle
Why were kennings and alliteration important in Anglo-Saxon oral tradition?
They helped the scop remember the poem and kept the rhythm engaging for listeners
What role did the scop play in Anglo-Saxon culture?
A bard/poet who preserved history and values through oral storytelling
Define “alliteration.”
The repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.