Characters and Names
Who is the King of the Danes
Hrothgar
In Beowulf, who are we taught we should be most loyal to (other than the Christian God)?
The King (Hrothgar is the specific example)
What is the term for the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in Beowulf?
Alliteration
How does Beowulf kill Grendel?
He rips his arm off - Grendel bleeds out in the swamp.
What is the relationship between Grendel and his mother?
Grendel is her son, and she seeks revenge for his death.
What is the meaning of the name Beowulf
"Bee-wolf," a kenning for bear, symbolizing strength and bravery.
What theme does Beowulf's willingness to fight Grendel with his hands (and no clothes) alone?
Bravery/Heroism/Strength
Which literary device gives you a hint that Aeschere would die?
Foreshadowing
How does Beowulf kill Grendel's Mother?
He finds a sword on the wall. He uses it to cut off her head.
What supernatural trait does Grendel possess that makes him difficult to defeat?
He cannot be harmed by normal weapons (he's magic)
What is the name of Beowulf's #1 hater?
Unferth
Why does this Epic Poem make so many references to the Christian God?
A British person wrote the story down. To protect themselves, they changed Beowulf's Norse God to the Christian God.
What is a "kenning"?
A metaphorical compound expression, like "whale-road" for the sea.
Which monster(s) does Beowulf technically fight first?
The sea monsters in the ocean (before the story started)
What is special about Unferth's sword (the one he gives Beowulf)?
It has never lost a battle - it's a legendary sword
What does the name Grendel mean?
Ghost/spirit/demon/shadow
What theme does Beowulf demonstrate when he comes back to kill Grendel's mother after she took Aeschere?
Revenge/Vengeance
What literary device is seen in Beowulf's overly-boastful speeches before battle?
Hyperbole / overexaggeration
What happens as a direct result of Beowulf killing Grendel?
Grendel's mother comes to Herot and kills Aeschere.
Why is the sword in the swamp battle-hall able to kill Grendel's mother?
Hrunting
Which theme is reflected in the frequent mentions of fate, or "wyrd," throughout the epic?
The Inevitability of Fate.
Identify and explain the kenning used to describe the dragon in Beowulf, and how it enhances the narrative.
* student must find a Kenning and explain how it contributes to the narrative.
Who is the first Dane that Beowulf encounters?
The Coast Guard
What deeper cultural or symbolic meanings do Grendel and his mother represent in the story, particularly in relation to the Christian and pagan elements of the narrative?
Grendel and his mother represent the chaotic and evil forces that oppose the civilized world of the Danes. Grendel is often linked to biblical figures like Cain, representing fratricide and exile, while his mother’s vengeance echoes older pagan traditions of revenge and blood feuds. Together, they symbolize the clash between Christian morality and pagan vengeance.