Beowulf
Beowulf is a ________ which is modern day Sweden
Geat.
Hrothgar is the king of the _________.
Danes.
Which biblical character is Grendel said to be related to?
Cain.
"The Almighty making the earth" (Beowulf 7). Pagan or Christian and why?
Christian because it's the creation story.
What is the name of the main building the story is set in?
Herot.
Before saying he will fight Grendel, Beowulf boasts how he...
has killed giants.
What is the purpose of Hrothgar's mead-hall?
It acts as a community center/bring people together for all kinds of events.
How many men does Grendel kill the first night and how many winters does Grendel continue to kill?
30 men and 12 winters.
"And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods, / Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell's / Support, the Devil's guidance in driving / Their affliction off" (Beowulf 90-94). Pagan or Christian and why?
Pagan because they are going back to worshiping multiple gods.
The story begins with "A powerful monster, living down / In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient / As day after day the music rang / Loud in that hall" (Beowulf 1-4). What is the initial tone?
Gloomy, foreboding, heinous, evil, angry, etc.
What supernatural quality does Beowulf possess that makes him an epic hero?
Awesome strength.
What do Hrothgar's men do after Grendel attacks?
Abandon him; find other places to sleep OR try to make a truce OR revert to paganism.
Grendel is impervious to weapons; how is he defeated in the end?
Bleeds out after having his arm torn off by Beowulf's hands.
"Conceived by a pair of those monsters born / Of Cain, murderous creatures banished / ...punished forever for the crime / Of Abel's death" (Beowulf 20-23). Pagan or Christian and why?
Christian because the story of Cain and Abel is a biblical story.
Good vs evil/cycle of violence.
What does Beowulf do with the proof of his victory?
He hangs Grendel's served arm from the rafters/ceiling of Herot.
Why does Hrothergar's watchmen want to know about Beowulf's father?
He wants to know about Beowulf's reputation.
What object is Grendel weak too and what is the significance?
Hrothgar's blessed throne because Grendel fears God.
"A path for his evil soul, but their points / Could not hurt him, the sharpest and hardest iron / Could not scratch at his skin, for that sin-stained demon / Had bewitched all men's weapons, laid spells / That blunted every mortal man's blade" (Beowulf 374-378). Pagan or Christian and why?
Pagan because magic was used to make Grendel invincible to mortal weapons.
What does the watchman mean when he says "'A soldier should know the difference between words / And deeds, and keep that knowledge clear / In his brain" (Beowulf 201-203).
Actions speak louder than words; know the difference.
What does Beowulf mean when he says "Perhaps / Hrothgar can hunt, here in my heart, / For some way to drive this devil out" (Beowulf 191-193).
"Hrothgar's wise men had fashioned Herot / To stand forever; only fire, / They had planned, could shatter what such skill had put / Together, swallow in hot flames such splendor / Of ivory and iron and wood (Beowulf 353-356). What does splendor mean?
What does this quote reveal about Grendel: "The monster's / Thoughts were as quick as his greed and claws" (Beowulf 34-35).
Hint: not greedy.
He's smart/intelligent/premeditative.
"Jumping to the ground, the Geats / Pushed their boat to the sand and tied it / In place... / And then / They gave thanks" (Beowulf 140-144). Pagan or Christian and why?
Christian because giving thanks is a way of prayer.
What type of figurative language is used in the following quote: "That mighty protector of men / Meant to hold the monster till its life / Leaped out" (Beowulf 366-368).
Personification.