BEOWULF

What clan is Wiglaf a part of?

Waegmunding Clan

Who is the father of Wiglaf? How is

Weohstan, member of the same clan of Beowulf’s father - Edgetho.

What does Wiglaf do in the battle?

He stays with Beowulf instead of running away.

Who does Beowulf want as the next king?

Because he doesn’t have a son and was bleeding out there, he chose Wiglaf.

What is Beowulf’s father’s name?

Edgetho

How is Edgetho significant to the story line?

His past connection to Hrothgrar allows the Danes to trust Beowulf.

How did Edgetho’s actions influence Beowulf?

Fueled his disire to prove himself and uphold his family's honor through his heroic deeds.

What is Beowulf’s uncle's name?

Higlac.

What was Higlac’s role? What does he give to Beowulf?

He was the king of Geats at the time of Beowulf being in Denmark… gives him lots of riches.

How is Hygd

Higlac’s wife.

Who is Herdred

Higlac’s son.

How does Higlac die?

In a battle with the Franks/Frisians.

Who does Hygd want to give the throne to? Who did it end up going too?

Beowulf, but ended up in Herod’s hands due to Beowulf’s denial.

Who gets the throne after Herod?

Beowulf gets the throne after Herod dies.

Similarities between Danes and Geats

Both are germanic warrior societies that follow a germanic hero code, longing for qualities like loyalty, bravery, and honor.

Similarites between Danes and Geats - gift giving

Both accept gifts as tokens of appriciation and they can be jewels, weapons, armour, and treasure.

Similarites between Danes and Geats - Story telling

They both have places for it, Danes have Heroet and the Geats have Beowulf’s hall.

What is Grendel’s lineage? Where did he live?

He is the descendent of Cain and lived in a swamp near by.

Why did Grendel attack in the first place?

He first attacked because he hated that the Danes had a community and made noise.

What did Grendel do and is hated for?

Kills for 12 years, murdering warriors everynight.

Describe the dragon.

He is a fire breathing, venoumous serpent that was gaurding treasure.

What happened after the treasure was stolen?

When he reailzed that his treasure had been stolen he attacked Beowulf’s kingdom and burned homes and villages.

Who went with Beowulf to fight the Dragon? What happened.

Beowulf—as king— led himself, 11 warriors, and the original slave who stole all of the goods, to the dragon to slay it. Every one but Wiglaf fled the scene.

How did the end of the fight with the Dragon go?

Beowulf died shortly after getting bit by the dragon and Wiglaf had the final blow.

Who is Unferth

One of Hrothgar’s couriers and son of Ecglaf. Known for being a skilled warrior and great with words. Before battle, he gives Beowulf a sword named Hrunting — said to have never lost a fight.

Who is Edgetho(ugh)

This is the name of Beowulf’s father who is known for being a great warrior and having a deeply rooted connection with Hrothgar.

Why does Beowulf feel so indebted to the Danes?

This is because they helped the Geats get out of a huge battle with the Wufling Clan.

Who is Wexton?

This is Wiglaf’s father who is somehow related to Beowulf. Killed Onela’s nephew… the swedish king who attacked Geatland in the past. Wexton is killed by this nephew.

Who is Hrothgar?

This is the king of the Danes that is being tortured by Grendel. Is connected to Beowulf’s father (Edgetho) and the Geatland through his actions in the past. Browulf helps get rid of two monsters for this king.

Hrunting

Given to Beowulf as an apology, has never failed its wielder, doesn’t work in battle.

Sword in Grendel’s mother’s lair

Forced by giants, normally too heavy for a normal person but beowulf lifted it, and used to kill Grendel’s mother.

Nagling

Beowulf’s ancient sword, broke when he swung dragon…telling us that no iron was strong enough for beowulf.

When was this written?

Around one thousand AD.

Comitatus

An honor code system from scandinavia in the 5-6th centuries. The ideology that an Anglo-Saxon was to be loyal to his king at all times.