The Epic Hero
Name the three monsters Beowulf must fight.
What is Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the Dragon.
This word means non-Christian.
What is pagan?
Who is Seamus Heaney?
What is the translator of Beowulf.
The repetition of one vowel or consonant sound in a section of writing. It is usually at the beginning of words or by stressed syllables. Beowulf examples: "The Hall of the Heart", "His pledge and promise", "Dragging the dead men home to his den"
What is alliteration?
Why does Beowulf use a sword and shield to fight the dragon?
What is due to the fire breath and poison tongue of the dragon.
Define Literary Epic and give three characteristics of one.
Story with supernatural elements centered around an remarkable hero with exceptional powers, taking place in a vast setting and told in a dramatic, style by an omniscient narrator.
Famous fantasy writer and scholar "re-discovered" Beowulf in the mid-20th century?
Who is JRR Tolkein, you nerdball?
A multi-word Metaphor like "battle-torch"
What is a kenning?
Why does Beowulf want a barrow (tower) built for him upon his death?
What is to remind people of his life and famous deeds.
Who is Grendel descended from?
Who is Cain?
Hrothgar is loved and protected by God, and Grendel has been cast out of God's love.
How does the poet of "Beowulf" define evil?
What is any creature or spirit opposing God, who is always/usually defeated.
Year was "Beowulf" believed (roughly) to be written down?
What is 1000 AD.
When Beowulf requests that he alone "May purge all evil from this hall," what does he mean by purge?
What is to drive out all evil.
Why does Wiglaf think he and his comrades should help Beowulf fight the dragon?
What is in the past they had promised to repay Beowulf's kindness with their lives.
This object melts after Beowulf uses it in the cave of Grendel's mother.
What is a giant sword?
What aspects of Beowulf's character represent the values of Anglo-Saxon culture?
What is bravery, fairness, responsibility or concern for others, piety (thanking God/fate), ambition, loyalty, and intelligence. They also valued reputation and earthly materials.
These epic tales, written by a 20th century translator of Beowulf, have been hailed as archetypal fantasy genre classics.
What is "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings".
What changes were made when Beowulf was written down and why?
Christian elements were added because Christian monks wrote it down.
Define the qualities or attributes of the archetypal Epic Hero.
What is a...
1.larger-than-life figure
2. typically of noble or semi-divine birth
3.who pits his courage, skill, and virtue against opposing, often evil, forces.
What stage of life does the dragon symbolize and what does the dragon represent?
What is old age? The dragon symbolizes death.
He has killed Beowulf after he lead a long, victorious life.
The pagans believed that fame and glory are the only ideals that will survive death. What evidence can you find in "Beowulf" that supports this ideal?
What is Beowulf's goal to win glory by defeating Grendel. He values or boasts about his victories and heroism. Death equals defeat (loss of glory and fame) when his kinsman mourn his tardiness while defeating Grendel's Mother. Even when old he want to fight the dragon for fame or glory. He builds a tower to keep his name alive after death.
Between what centuries was "Beowulf" first recited orally and then written down?
What are the 8th and 11th centuries.
"Beowulf" is not similar from when it was first created due to the adding of Christian elements.
The modern definition of this word means "fate or destiny."
What is wyrd?