Beowulf - Review

Epic Poetry

100

This poetic device involves combining two words together to create a metaphor such as "whale-road"

Kenning

200

"Wicked warriors walked the winding way" is an example of this poetic device.

Alliteration

300

"Ring-Giver" is a kenning used in Beowulf to refer to these.

Kings

400

Anglo-Saxon poetry did not focus on rhyming and instead focused on repeating sounds through this poetic device.

Alliteration

500

Little is known about this person other than the fact that they were most likely a monk living between the 8th and 11th century in England.

The Author of Beowulf

Events

100

The Danes stop sleeping in their great mead hall following attacks from this terrible creature.

Grendel

200

When the missing man kidnapped by Grendel's Mother is found, this is the only part of his body left.

His Head

300

Beowulf kills Grendel's mother with a sword that is believed to have been made by this type of mythological creatures.

Giants

400

When Unferth claims Beowulf is not a strong warrior based on a previous loss against another warrior, Beowulf responds by telling him he only lost because he was attacked by these.

Sea Monsters

500

After Beowulf dies, they build this in his honor.

A huge burial mound, overlooking the sea.

Characters

100

Mythic hero who founded the Danish royal line before being set adrift at sea after his untimely death.

Scyld

200

He is the only warrior who stays with Beowulf to distract the dragon during Beowulf's final battle.

Wiglaf

300

King Hrothgar's advisor who is killed by a revenge-seeking monster

Aeschere

400

King of the Geats who sent warriors to help the Danes

Hygelac

500

The name of the dragon that kills Beowulf

The Dragon has no name.

Important Places/Things

100

This is the name of an ancient mead-hall built by Hrothgar and attacked by Grendel.

Heorot

200

Beowulf travels to the land of the Danes from this place, his native country.

Geatland

300

This item becomes Beowulf's trophy after his first major victory of the Epic

Grendel's Arm

400

This item, stolen from a treasure trove underground, leads to Beowulf's death.

A Golden Cup

500

Unferth gives Beowulf this sword, making peace with him before he battles Grendel's mother.

Hrunting

Themes/ Main Ideas

100

While pagan religion influences many of the monsters and historic elements of Beowulf, Beowulf finds a great deal of strength through his belief in this.

God/Christianity

200

One of the most important lessons for readers in Beowulf is that a true warrior never lives in fear of this reality of human existence.

Death

300

The original Beowulf story would have been useful for early cultures to teach their children to live by this set of rules to guide their lives.

A Heroic Code

400

Beowulf makes many references to The Bible but the most direct link claims that Grendel descends from this biblical murderer.

Cain

500

Name 3 qualities that a hero must have under the Germanic Heroic Code.

Answers may vary.