Honors British Literature - Beowulf

In the prologue, who is the main beginning king of the throne?

Shild

What was Shild’s past and how did his future change?

he was an abandoned child who travelled to Denmark alone, but lived to be rich and much honored. He became a king

Who is the king currently?

Hrothgar; he led the Danes to glory

What did Hrothgar build?

he built “Herot” a beautiful dining hall of celebrations and most stunning of dwellings

Monster’s name:

Grendel, powerful in the darkness

What was Grendel’s reaction to the celebratory music?

impatient, growled in pain

What does the celebratory music mostly feature?

praising the Almighty

What is the biblical reference in the story and what is connected?

Cain and Abel. It is believed that Grendel is connected to the evil that comes from Cain’s cursed family line

When God drove out the evil creatures away from man,…

they split into a thousand forms of evil (goblins, giants, etc.)

When during the day did Grendel go to Herot?

during the night he snatched up men and murder3d them

“the monster’s thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws.”

simile

On the first night we are introduced to, how many men did Grendel snatch up?

30

Because Grendel came back another night for more murd3r,..

he seems to have lust for it

To be safe, what did the other warriors do to avoid Grendel?

slept as far as they could from Herot

What was safety?

distance

How many years did Herot get deserted for because of Grendel?

12

What does Hrothgar remember about Beowulf as a child?

having known him (and his noble birth)

Servant’s name:

Wulfgar

What is Hrothgar’s response to Beowulf coming over the sea?

brave

What does the servant advise Beowulf to do with his armor before going to Hrothgar?

putting his stuff down

What kind of roof does Herot have ?

steep

What is Beowulf’s relationship to Higlac?

Higlac is his uncle (cousin is used for any relative term) and his king (of Geats)

How did Beowulf come to know about Grendel?

stories are heard all over, especially from sailors

What did Beowulf’s people tell him?

that his duty was to go to the Danes’ Great king

What does Beowulf say or promise about his swords/armory when it comes to fighting Grendel?

since Grendel doesn’t use them, he won’t either

What is the last sentence of Beowulf’s boast?

“God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip.”

What is the name of the warrior who thinks he is better than Beowulf?

Unferth

What does Beowulf accuse Unferth of?

he has no crazy outstanding bold stories to tell, and he accuses him of murdering his own brothers

What happened to one of Beowulf’s men?

he was killed

What did Grendel know at once when he was seized by Beowulf?

no man on earth has harder hands, his mind flooded with fear

What was Grendel’s one thought from Beowulf?

to run and hide

BY WHAT did Beowulf catch Grendel?

his knuckles and fists

What happened when the other men tried to attack Grendel too with Beowulf?

their spears were blunted because Grendel has a supernatural effect

What did Grendel begin to discover as he neared his death?

what it meant to feud with Almighty God

Who is Beowulf recognized as?

Prince of Geats

What was the actual proof of Grendel’s death?

ars, claw, and shoulder hanging from the rafters

Who came to the celebration at Herot the day after Grendel’s death?

princes and warriors from all over the place

Where did Grendel’s bloody footprints lead to?

a steaming and boiling, bloody lake

Even though Grendel was dead,…

there was another monster wanting revenge (his mother)

Grendel snatched at Beowulf’s arm but…

Beowulf remembered God’s grace and the strength He’d given him and relied on the Lord for all the help

What does Grendel’s mother do first?

k!lls Hrothgar’s closest friend and advisor and takes her son’s severed arm back to the fen

What is the name of the trusted friend/advisor that Grendel’s mother killed?

Aeschere

If Grendel had a father or whether there’d been others before the two…

no one knew

What does Hrothgar say to Beowulf about Grendel’s mother’s home?

“Grendel’s mother is hidden in her terrible home, in a place you have not seen.”

Why does Beowulf plan to kill/fight Grendel’s mother?

to avenge the death of Aeschere

How did Grendel’s mother welcome Beowulf?

in her claws, clutched at him savagely (but somehow couldn’t hurt him)

Where did Grendel’s mother carry Beowulf?

to her home in armor

Did Grendel’s mother’s underwater lair protect Beowulf?

yes it did

What creates a supernatural scenery in the home of Grendel’s mother?

bright light flames deep underwater

Beowulf tried to fight Grendel’s mother with his sword BUT…

her skin was indestructible

What was the name of the sword that Beowulf tried to use on Grendel’s mother?

Hrunting

What did Beowulf only long for?

fame

At some point, Grendel’s mother gained the upper hand and…

sat on him on his stomach and tried to stab him with a dagger but could not pierce his chest because of his armor