English Literature Beowulf Test
Characteristics of an “epic”
1. Hero, generally male, of noble birth or high position
2. Hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society
3. Hero performs courageous (sometimes superhuman) deeds
2. Hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society
3. Hero performs courageous (sometimes superhuman) deeds
Characteristics of an “epic””
1. Setting is vast in scope (entire races, world, and universe)
2. Major characters often deliver long, formal speeches
3. Plot is complicated by supernatural beings/events
2. Major characters often deliver long, formal speeches
3. Plot is complicated by supernatural beings/events
An epic poem reflects “timeless values.” Examples of the values are
1. Courage
2. Loyalty
3. Honor
2. Loyalty
3. Honor
The “universal theme” in “Beowulf,” and the most common theme in literature is:
Good vs. Evil
Caesura
Grendel gongan, goodes yrre baer:
Alliteration
“Out From the marsh, From the Foot of misty”
Kenning
“Hell-forged hands”
Allegory
Beowulf represents “good;” Grendel represents “bad”
Epic
Long narrative poem; quest story
In the “Prologue,” we learn that Danish kings were given respectful burials by:
Casting their body, along with treasures, out to sea in a ship
Grendel is both monster and man as he is descended form the Biblical
Cain
What drives Grendel to attack the warriors at Herot?
He is angered by their celebrating
Why does Beowulf insist that “my hands along shall fight for me?”
Grendel does not use weapons, so he will fight him fairly
Created by the pagan Anglo-Saxons and written down by a Christian monk, the poem reflects Beowulf alternately placing his faith in God and in
Himself
Beowulf hangs Grendel’s ____ from the rafters of Herot as a symbol of Beowulf’s great victory.
Arm
How does Grendel’s Mother seek revenge on King Hrothgar?
Kills his closest friend
Before she left Herot, Grendel’s Mother “carried off___.”
Her son’s claw
The story-teller tells us, “They’d traded deaths,/Danes and monsters, and no one had won,/both had lost!…/ The story-teller is most likely the
The scop
The battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s Mother takes place in
In the lake
Beowulf brings the following to battle with Grendel’s Mother
1. Hrunting
2. Mail
3. Helmet
2. Mail
3. Helmet
The following “epic” feats are performed by Beowulf in his battle with Grendel’s Mother
1. Staying under water for hours
2. Wielding the giants’ sword
3. Carrying Grendel’s head
2. Wielding the giants’ sword
3. Carrying Grendel’s head
The quote,”…fame after death/Is the noblest of goals” reflects:
A pagan perspective
During the battle, Beowulf’s men
Have given up hope
Beowulf slays Grendel’s Mother with
The giants’ sword
As proof of victory over Grendel’s Mother, Beowulf brings back a jeweled hilt and
Grendel’s head
After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s Mother, how long does he rule over the Geats?
50 Years
The fire dragon burns all of Geatland because a man stole his
Gold cup
Only ___ stayed to help fight the Fire Dragon
Wiglaf
How is Beowulf killed by the Fire Dragon?
Stabbed with venomous tusks
Who does Beowulf say will become the new leader of his people?
Wiglaf
In his final battle, Beowulf states that “__” was against him.”
Fate
Before he dies, Beowulf wishes to see
The dragon’s treasure
The parenthetical remark, “So gold can easily triumph, defeat the strongest of men,/No matter how deep it is hidden!” contradicts the Anglo-Saxon’s straightforward appreciation of
Fame
The tower built for Beowulf after his death was tall and strong so that
The sailors could find the tower
The main struggle and allegory in “Beowulf” is between:
Good/Evil