Characters
Beowulf's father and what was he famous for?
Edgetho: famous warrior in Geatland
What are two things the guard notices about Beowulf and the Geats?
Beowulf is handsome and the Geats have the best weapons he's ever seen.
What does Beowulf want in his honor and how does this symbolize who he was when he was alive (explain two ways)
Lighthouse- Beowulf Tower
He is arrogant and always wants people to know who he is and see him.
He dedicated his life guiding his people to safety.
A motif is good vs evil. Explain the theme that comes from his motif in the epic poem Beowulf.
Answers may vary
What do we call an Anglo Saxon poet?
A scop
The man who doubted Beowulf and what he symbolizes.
Umferth: Beowulf's motivation and the fact that no matter how great one is, there will always be someone who dislikes them.
List five qualities of an epic hero
Beauty, Boasting, Supreme Bravery, Superhuman abilities, Divine Intervention
What two things spared Beowulf's life during the battle with Grendel's mother
Armor and divine intervention.
Explain two different pairings that are juxtaposed in his story.
Answers may vary
What did Herot look like?
Large and golden, shimmering on hills.
Beowulf mentions that if he dies, he wants everything he owns sent to whom? (Name them and who they are)
Higlac, king of the Geats
List all the boasts Beowulf has made and explain what he says in each.
Answer may vary.
Name the kings in the story and their lands.
Hrothgar- Denmark
Higlac- Geatland
Beowulf- Geatland
Name an allusion mentioned in the poem.
Cain and Abel- the Bible.
What did Grendel's mother do the night before Beowulf killed her?
Killed Hrothgar's best friend and took back the arm of her son.
Name two Kennings given to Grendel's mother.
Mighty Sea Witch and Greedy She Wolf
Explain the ways in which Wiglaf is an epic hero. Give at least 3.
Answers may vary.
Explain the significance of Paganism and Christianity in this story. How does each present itself?
Answers may vary
The Geats have proven time and time again that they lack comitatus. Explain three ways how.
Answers may vary.
What are four things Wiglaf lectured the Geats about?
-Beowulf chose us, he gave us these weapons, you made a promise to him, I would rather die than have Beowulf die.
Describe Wiglaf's lineage, including his family tree as we know it and his nationality
Wiglaf is Wextan's son. Wextan was a famous warrior who gave his sword and armor to Wiglaf. The family is Swedish.
What does Beowulf give Wiglaf, and what is the significance of this?
Necklace, sword, armor, helmet. Wiglaf is not the next epic hero.
Explain the battle with Grendel's mother in a play by play.
First, Beowulf jumps into the lake and swims for hours. GM snatches him and takes him down to her lair. Other Sea monsters attack him. Beowulf tries to stab her, but it doesn't work. Grendel's mother pins him to the floor and is about to stab him with her dagger, but divine intervention takes place and Beowulf is saved and is able to kill her.
Give two kennings given to Beowulf
Shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, Edgetho's brave son
Give two reasons why we read Beowulf today.
oldest form of recorded English literature
There are still prevalent themes today.