Beowulf Study Guide (Lines 1–790)

These flashcards cover key terms and themes from the Beowulf lecture notes to help with exam preparation.

Beowulf

An epic poem written around 1000 AD by a Christian writer about a pagan warrior culture from the 500s.

Alliteration

Repeating beginning sounds in poetry, e.g., 'mighty men made'.

Compounding

Combining words to form a new meaning.

Kenning

A metaphorical compound word, e.g., 'feorhseoc' meaning 'mortally wounded'.

Heroism

Character traits including strength, leadership, and generosity as embodied by figures like Shild Scefing.

Pagan Loyalty Codes

A social system where loyalty is owed to family, guests, warriors, and kings.

Grendel

A monster in Beowulf representing anti-community and chaos, descended from biblical evil.

Heorot Hall

The great mead hall symbolizing order, generosity, and community.

Hubris

Dangerous pride that can lead to downfall, often seen in heroic characters.

Christianization

The process of converting pagan culture to Christian beliefs.

Monstrosity

What exists outside of society and loyalty, exemplified by Grendel.

Civilization

Described as 'heaven on earth,' contrasting with monsters that represent chaos.