Heroism & Honor
Tests & Trials
The Supernatural
Character Connections
Quotes & Context
100

This Geatish warrior travels to Denmark to help King Hrothgar defeat Grendel.

Who is Beowulf

100

This monster terrorizes Heorot Hall until Beowulf confronts him.

Who is Grendel?

100

Grendel is described as a descendant of this biblical figure.

Who is Cain?

100

This Danish king welcomes Beowulf and needs help defending his hall.

Who is Hrothgar?

100

“Fate often saves an undoomed man” reflects this theme in Beowulf.

What is fate

200

This knight accepts the Green Knight’s challenge, showing courage and loyalty to King Arthur.

Who is Sir Gawain?

200

Gawain must complete this journey to fulfill his promise to the Green Knight.

What is traveling to the Green Chapel?

200

This mysterious figure challenges King Arthur’s court during a New Year’s feast.

Who is the Green Knight

200

This lord hosts Gawain and secretly tests his honesty.

Who is Lord Bertilak?

200

Gawain’s shield bears this symbol representing truth and virtue

What is the pentangle?

300

After losing his kingdom and wife, this king shows endurance by surviving alone in the wilderness.

Who is Sir Orfeo?

300

Sir Orfeo endures years of hardship living in this place after losing his wife.

What is the forest

300

Heurodis is taken to this magical realm ruled by a fairy king.

What is the Otherworld (or fairy kingdom)?


300

Heurodis is the wife of this king who journeys to rescue her.

Who is Sir Orfeo?

300

Sir Orfeo uses this skill to win back his wife from the fairy king.

What is playing the harp(or music)?

400

Beowulf proves his honor by choosing to fight Grendel without this common warrior tool.

What is a weapon?

400

Beowulf’s final test is battling this deadly creature late in life.

What is a dragon?

400

This enchanted weapon allows Beowulf to defeat Grendel’s mother.

What is the giant’s sword?


400

This loyal warrior helps Beowulf fight the dragon when others flee.

Who is Wiglaf?

400

Beowulf’s final speech before fighting the dragon reflects this concern.

What is legacy

500

Gawain’s acceptance of this magical item ultimately challenges his code of honor.

What is the green girdle

500

Gawain faces temptation during this three-day test involving this lord’s wife.

What is the seduction

500

The Green Knight’s survival after decapitation is explained by this hidden identity.

Who is Lord Bertilak

500

Morgan le Fay is connected to the Green Knight as the one who orchestrates this test.

What is the challenge to test Arthur’s court

500

Gawain’s confession about the girdle reveals this internal conflict.

What is the struggle between honesty and self-preservation?