Exam 1 Review - Beowulf

Why were the Anglo-Saxons considered the first English people?

They developed the earliest form of the English language and established foundational cultural and political structures in England.

Where did the Anglo-Saxons originate?

The Anglo-Saxons originated from present-day Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Around when did Anglo-Saxons come to dominate Britain? Who had dominated before them?

They began to dominate Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries, after the Romans withdrew; prior to that, Britain was dominated by Celtic tribes and then the Romans.

What are the massive stones called that form Stonehenge? Who built Stonehenge?

The stones are called megaliths. Stonehenge was likely built by pre-Celtic peoples around 3000–2000 BCE.

What did the Roman invasion bring to Britain? What was the island called by the Romans?

The Roman invasion brought roads, architecture, Christianity, and centralized government. The Romans called the island Britannia.

What was mead?

Mead was an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water, commonly consumed in Anglo-Saxon mead halls.

Which famous Anglo-Saxon king built the first English navy?

King Alfred the Great built the first English navy.

Who were the major enemies of the Anglo-Saxons?

Their major enemies included the Vikings (Danes and Norsemen).

What was Danelaw?

Danelaw was a region of England under Viking control, where Danish laws and customs were followed.

What was a scop? What was a thane?

A scop was a poet or bard who told stories through oral tradition. A thane was a warrior who served a king or lord in exchange for land and protection.

How did the spread of Christianity in the 6th century change Anglo-Saxon culture?

It introduced new moral codes, literacy, and written records, replacing many pagan beliefs and practices.

Explain the routes the Anglo-Saxons took to invade England and settle it. Also explain what kinds of people invaded.

The Anglo-Saxons crossed the North Sea from northern Germany and Denmark. They were mainly warriors but also included settlers such as farmers and families, who pushed native Britons westward.

What are traits of an epic poem?

Epic poems feature a heroic protagonist, supernatural elements, grand settings, formal diction, and themes of good versus evil and honor.

What do we know about the writing of the poem Beowulf and about the anonymous poet?

Beowulf was written in Old English by an unknown poet, likely a Christian monk, in the early 8th to 11th century, though it was based on older oral tradition.

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a line of poetry.

Kenning

A metaphorical compound word or phrase used to describe something indirectly (e.g., “whale-road” for sea).

Caesura

A pause or break in the middle of a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation.

Half-line

Each line of Anglo-Saxon poetry is typically divided into two halves by a caesura.

Epithet

A descriptive phrase expressing a characteristic of the person or thing mentioned (e.g., “Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow”).

Family tree of the Danes, Geats, and Swedes

Hrothgar is the Danish king. Beowulf is a Geat and the hero of the poem. The Swedes are a rival tribe. Prominent figures include Hrothgar (Dane), Beowulf (Geat), and Hygelac (Beowulf’s uncle and king of the Geats).

What motivated Beowulf to leave his homeland to hunt down Grendel and kill him for the sake of the Danes?

Beowulf was motivated by honor, the desire for eternal fame, and a sense of duty to repay Hrothgar for helping his father. He saw the battle as a heroic challenge and a path to glory.

What are parallels between the biblical Cain and the character of Grendel?

Grendel is described as a descendant of Cain, the biblical figure who committed the first murder. Like Cain, Grendel is marked as an outcast and associated with evil, jealousy, and violence.

Is Beowulf an epic hero according to the classical definition?

Yes, Beowulf fits the epic hero archetype: he possesses superhuman strength, faces great risks, displays unwavering courage, values honor and loyalty, and defeats evil monsters like Grendel and his mother.

What monster terrorizes Hrothgar’s kingdom for 12 years?

Grendel.

Why does Beowulf travel to Denmark?

To defeat Grendel and earn honor, fame, and repay a debt to King Hrothgar for helping Beowulf’s father.

How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?

He fights Grendel unarmed and rips off his arm during the battle in Heorot.

What happens after Grendel is defeated?

Grendel’s mother attacks in revenge and kills Aeschere, Hrothgar’s close advisor.

What weapon does Beowulf use to defeat Grendel’s mother?

He first tries Unferth’s sword Hrunting, which fails, and then uses a giant’s sword found in her lair to kill her.

What does Beowulf do after killing Grendel’s mother?

He decapitates Grendel’s corpse and returns to Hrothgar with the head.

What values does Beowulf represent?

Honor, bravery, loyalty, and self-sacrifice.