Character Riddles
On a hoard of gold, a beast doth lie,
With fiery breath and scales so high.
If one piece is lost, its wrath is dire,
So tread with caution, and do not aspire.
Dragon
Where the Battle with Grendel's Mother took place
Underwater, in her lair
Comes to Beowulf's rescue / Next leader of the Geats
Wiglaf
What does Beowulf need to face,
The monsters of the Grendel race?
It helps him fight with all his might,
And gives him strength to win the fight.
Courage
These pagan people came from the sea,
With weapons, swords, and shields so free.
They spoke a language strange and old
And told the tales of heroes bold.
Anglo-Saxons
In the depths of the water, a spirit of vengeance,
Feeding on sorrow, seeking revenge.
Hero or villain, who knows, 'tis true?
But beware her wrath, lest she consume you.
Grendel's mother
How did Beowulf kill Grendel?
Ripped off his arm with bare hands
True or False?
Wiglaf thinks he and his comrades should help Beowulf fight the dragon because then they can claim the treasure.
False - he thinks they will help because they had already promised to repay Beowulf's kindness with their lives
What quality does Beowulf possess,
To guide his people with such grace?
He inspires courage, wields power with might,
And stands for justice, day and night.
leadership
Using this device, you might call a bicyclist a pedal-pusher. People that ride in gas-guzzlers may even call this person a tree-hugger.
Kenning
In the darkest corner of the mind,
With hands clasped tightly over the ears,
You will find this hungry creature,
Filled with rage and ravenous fears.
Grendel
Beowulf takes this with him after killing Grendel's mother.
Grendel's head
Beowulf starts losing the battle with the dragon when...
His shield melts from the dragon's breath
Wiglaf stood by Beowulf's side,
When all others ran to hide.
He helped his king to win the fight.
Because of this trait, Wiglaf chose right.
Loyalty
This device creates kindred clings and clangs in words close by. Tis the thing that talks to and tickles the ear.
alliteration
A personification of Anglo-Saxon might,
A loyal friend and kinsman, sworn to fight.
The future of the Geats, his heart so brave,
He honored his king's wishes to the grave.
Wiglaf
Beowulf uses this to kill Grendel's Mother
Giant sword from the cave wall
What happens to the dragon's treasure?
It is buried in the monument/tower they built for Beowulf
What trait does Beowulf use to slay,
Grendel when he come his way?
It's stronger than steel or stone,
And helps him defeat his foes alone.
Strength
Make sure that you know--take a long second to think--just how powerful a pause in your writing can be. This literary device lets words linger, just a bit, in the mind of your audience.
caesura
Unkind and envious, a warrior of pride,
He challenges the brave, but his own deeds hide.
He gives Beowulf a sword though it may be lost,
When he believes in his leader, no matter the cost.
Unferth
What was Grendel's Mothers intention in attacking Herot?
Get revenge for her son's death
What 2 things did Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do for him before he died?
Get the treasure so he can see his reward, and build him a monument by the sea so all can remember his name.
What binds Beowulf to his Geats,
And drives him to face his fates?
It's stronger than blood or steel,
And helps him overcome all that he feels.
Kinship
Both poetic and phonetic, Beowulf (the story) and Beowulf (the character) can be described as this
epic