ELA 2026 Midterm - Macbeth, Beowulf, and Canterbury Tales

Origins of Macbeth

Scandinavian

What is the setting of Beowulf?

Denmark and Sweden

Why do the Danes need help in Beowulf?

A monster named Grendel is haunting the mead hall and killing people.

Why does Beowulf want to help the Danes?

His father was a friend to the Danish king and he wants to help his father’s friend.

What is the mead hall called and what does it symbolize?

Herot

The heart of their community.

How many men were killed in Grendel's first attack?

30 men.

How long did Grendel's attacks last?

12 years.

What is the name of the first monster in Beowulf?

Grendel.

What does Grendel symbolize?

Evil outsider who threatens the safety of the community.

What is the lineage of Grendel?

Direct line of cane, the murderer, causes Grendel to become evil

How does Beowulf fight Grendel?

Bare-handed.

Why does Beowulf fight Grendel bare-handed?

He wants it to be a fair fight

What is the outcome of Beowulf's fight with Grendel?

Beowulf rips Grendel's arm off, and Grendel returns to his lair to die.

What does Grendel's mother symbolize?

Revenge.

Where does Grendel's mother live?

In a cavern at the bottom of a lake around the swamp.

What weapon does Unferth give to Beowulf to fight Grendel's mother?

A family sword.

What is the name of Unferth’s family sword?

Hrunting

What is the outcome of Beowulf's second fight?

Beowulf beheads Grendel's mother with a giant’s sword.

How does Beowulf become king?

His uncle, the king, dies in battle, and the queen asks him to take the throne.

How long has Beowulf been king when the third monster appears?

50 years.

3rd monster in Beowulf

Dragon

What does the third monster in Beowulf represent?

Greed.

What awakens the dragon in Beowulf?

A thief returns to the cave with others after stealing his treasure

What is hidden in the dragon’s cave

Cursed treasure

What destruction does the dragon cause?

It burns villages and people.

What literary term is the sky-flier an example of?

Kenning - use of one noun to describe another noun

Who comes to help Beowulf during the battle with the dragon?

Wiglaf.

What do the other 10 soldiers do instead of helping Beowulf?

They run away and avoid helping

What happens to Beowulf in the battle with the dragon?

Beowulf dies from the dragon's poison, but the dragon also dies.

What does Beowulf want done with the treasure?

He wants it to help his people.

Wiglaf’s line about death - It is ______ for a warrior to _____ than to live a life of ______.

better

die

shame

What is Wiglaf’s line about death?

“It is better for a warrior to die than to live a life of shame.”

What happens to the treasure?

It’s buried under Beowulf’s mound because it’s cursed

What is the narrator of the Canterbury Tales?

Chaucer.

In what month does the pilgrimage in Canterbury Tales take place?

April.

Where do the pilgrims travel to in Canterbury Tales?

The shrine of Sir Thomas a Becket in Canterbury.

How many travelers are there in total?

31.

Which group is not represented among the pilgrims?

Royalty.

What is the host's plan for the pilgrimage?

Tell stories, 2 on the way and 2 back.

What is the original language of the Canterbury Tales?

Middle English.

What is the Canterbury Tales the first poem written in?

Iambic pentameter.

Who are the first characters introduced in Macbeth?

Three witches.

Who are the Scottish captains credited for victory in Macbeth?

Macbeth and Banquo.

What titles do the witches give to Macbeth?

Thane of Glamis

Thane of Cawdor

Future king

What do the witches predict for Banquo?

He will not be king

but his descendants will be kings.

How Lady Macbeth learns of the prophecy

Letter from Macbeth

What motivates Macbeth to contemplate murder?

Ambition.

Why does Lady Macbeth pray to demons?

To help her become able to commit murder/become cruel

What does Duncan call Macbeth?

A valiant cousin

A worthy gentleman.

Banquo’s quote - The motives of the “_______ of darkness,” they often tell you ____ things without telling the _______ ________.

instruments

good

bad consequences

What is Banquo’s quote about consequences?

The motives of the “instruments of darkness,” they often tell you good things without telling the bad consqeuences.

Duncan’s reply to Cawdor

“You can’t tell what’s in a person’s heart by looking at his face.”

What does Macbeth’s quote “Let not light see my black and deep desires” mean?

He wants to become king and murder Duncan

Lady Macbeth’s opinion of Macbeth

He doesn’t have the will that is needed to become king

What 3 things does Lady Macbeth ask the demons to do in her prayer?

• Unsex her (remove her femininity)

• Remove remorse and guilt

• Dismiss cruelty

What advice does Lady Macbeth give to Macbeth?

Not to look innocent even when your heart is full of evil.

Macbeth’s 3 reasons for not killing Duncan

• Duncan is a good king

• Duncan is his family

• Macbeth is supposed to protect Duncan

2 Arguments Lady Macbeth gives to Macbeth

• Not to be a coward

• Be the man to get what he wants

What plan does Lady Macbeth devise?

To get the guards drunk so Macbeth can kill Duncan and frame them.