Canto 1-2
Who is the King of the Danes?
Hrothgar
What did Beowulf hang as a trophy after his battle with Grendel?
Grendel's "arm, claw and shoulder and all."
What did Beowulf use to defeat Grendel's mother?
"A heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic"
How many years passed between the battle with Grendel's mother and Beowulf's fight with the dragon?
50 Years
What is an epithet?
a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing
What is the king's mead-hall named?
Herot
Why were weapons not effective against Grendel?
He "laid spells that blunted every mortal man's blade"
What other name is Grendel's mother given in the poem?
She-Wolf
What did the thief steal from the tower that angered the dragon?
A cup
What is an epic poem?
A lengthy, narrative poem that depicts heroic deeds and events.
Who is the King of the Geats at the beginning of the story?
Higlac
Who did Grendel's mother kill during her attack?
Hrothgar's closest friend
What protects Beowulf from the onslaught of monsters in the lake?
The "ring-woven mail on his breast"
All of Beowulf's soldiers flee at the sight of the dragon except one-- what's his name?
Wiglaf
What is an alliteration?
a literary device in which a series of words begin with the same consonant sound
How many years did Grendel spend murdering the occupants of the mead-hall?
Twelve
What object does Grendel's mother take from the hall?
Grendel's arm
What is the name of Beowulf's heirloom sword?
Hrunting
How long did it take for the Geats to buildBeowulf's monument?
10 days
What is a kenning?
when you take two words and combine them as a mild translation or metaphor for something else
How is Beowulf related to the King of the Geats?
He is his nephew.
What is Beowulf promised if he defeats Grendel's mother?
"Heaped-up ancient treasure"
How many men did it take to carry Beowulf's new trophy back to the mead-hall?
4 men
What does Beowulf present to the new King of the Geats before he dies? (There are four correct answers)
His golden necklace, gold-covered helmet, his rings, and his mail shirt.
Can you name another famous epic poem?
The Odyssey, The Iliad, The Aeneid, Metamorphoses, The Divine Comedy, Paradise Lost, The Rape of the Lock, etc.