Characters
The protagonist of the epic. A Geatish hero who resolves to fight the monster Grendel
Beowulf
What is Herot?
The great mead hall Hrothgar builds
Why does Unferth disparage Beowulf’s reputation with a story about a battle at sea?
Unferth is jealous of Beowulf
“He spawned in that slime, / Conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever…” The tone toward Grendel can best be described as…
Negative/Cautionary and disgusted
The Anglo-Saxons were once ____________ who believed in ____________.
Pagans / many gods
A demon descended from Cain, he preys on Hrothgar’s warriors in the king’s mead-hall, Heorot.
Grendel
Where does Beowulf sail from to help the Danes?
Geatland
What do Beowulf and Brecca swim out to sea to fight?
Sea monsters
"Over the waves, with the wind behind her and foam at her neck, she flew like a bird..."
Simile
Anglo-Saxon stories were passed down through...
Oral tradition
The king of the Danes. He enjoys military success and prosperity until Grendel terrorizes his realm.
Hrothgar
Who stops Beowulf when he first arrives?
A lookout who guards the coast
What boast or promise does Beowulf make to Wealhtheow, the Queen?
He'll slay Grendel or die trying
Grendel "dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts."
Allusion
Once Beowulf was finally written down, it was used to…
Entertain readers and spread Christian values
A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf, he is unable or unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf.
Unferth
What does Beowulf ask of Hrothgar?
Permission to fight Grendel
What does Beowulf hold up as proof of his victory over Grendel?
Grendel's arm
Woe-walker, corpse-maker, and Shepherd of evil are all _____________ to describe Grendel
Kennings
Name one Anglo-Saxon value embodied by the hero Beowulf
Bravery/loyalty/strength/war-like/stern/generosity/boasting/fairness/revenge/etc.
King of the Geats
Hygelac
Why does Beowulf plan to fight without a sword or shield?
What happens to Grendel after the battle with Beowulf?
He returns to his swamp home to die
"They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts..."
Alliteration
Name one characteristic of Anglo-Saxon poetry
Strong rhythm/alliteration/parallel structure/anaphora/caesura/kennings/unrhymed verse/etc.