Beowulf

What does Beowulf show us about the Anglo-Saxons valued in their warriors?

loyalty (faithfulness) and courage (bravery)

How do we see pagan beliefs in the poem?

Kill and prevent, Believe in fate, Beowulf accepts his death

How do we see Christian ideas in the poem?

Go to the heaven after death, celebrate parties after victories

What makes Beowulf a hero?

faithful, fearless, sacrifice, and he uses his strength to protect his subjects

What are the differences between Beowulf and heroes today?

fights (big events), perfection, reputation

How is Beowulf different as a young warrior compared to, he is an older king?

• Fight with many peers >< with only one warrior

• Fights for reputation >< yet fights for his subjects

• starts to think warily

What does Grendel represent

anger, evil, chaos, danger.

What does Grendel’s mother represent?

revenge, intense anger

What does the dragon represent?

greed, death, destruction.

what role does fate (wyrd) play in the story?

complex play in the story, reflecting the cultural transition from pagan to Christian beliefs in Anglo-Saxon England (acceptance of fate while simultaneously striving for glory through personal valour)

Why does the poem include stories about other battles and warriors?

• To highlight the heroic and loyalty (loyal beliefs) of the people in Anglo-Saxon England.

• To compare and set him apart from others.

Why is the mead-hall (Heorot) important in the story?

It represents the community place (community house/centre) where people share beliefs, gather and celebrate victory

Where does most of the poem Beowulf take place?

Denmark (Heorot) and Geatland (Norway)

What is the name of Hrothgar’s great mead-hall?

Heorot

Beowulf sails from which land to help Hrothgar?

Geatland

Where does Grendel’s mother live?

In a dark, underwater lair (burrow)

The final battle of Beowulf takes place against a dragon in?

the dragon’s lair (or barrow)

Why does Grendel attack Heorot?

He hates the sound of joy and feasting

What does Beowulf do after killing Grendel?

Hangs Grendel’s arm in the mead-hall

How is Beowulf mortally wounded in his final battle?

He is bitten by the dragon

What is done with Beowulf’s body after his death?

Buried in the sea

Who is Hrothgar?

 King of the Danes

Who is Wiglaf?

Beowulf’s loyal warrior who helps him fight the dragon

Who is Grendel descended from?

Cain (a biblical figure)

Who gives Beowulf a sword to fight Grendel’s mother?

Unferth

Who becomes king after Beowulf dies?

Wiglaf

Which literary device is used in the phrase “whale-road” (meaning the sea)?

Kenning

Which of the following is an example of alliteration in Beowulf?

“Beowulf battled bravely”

The poem Beowulf is written in what type of verse?

Alliterative verse

What is the major theme of Beowulf?

The struggle between good and evil

The use of Christian references alongside pagan traditions in Beowulf is an example of?

Cultural blending

Who is Beowulf’s king and uncle in Geatland?

Hygelac

Who is Hygd?

Queen of the Geats, Hygelac’s wife

What relation is Heardred to Beowulf?

His cousin and Hygelac’s son

What does Beowulf do after Hygelac’s death?

Refuses the throne at first, later rules after Heardred’s death

What is Unferth best remembered for in the poem?

His jealousy and taunting of Beowulf

What gift does Hrothgar give Beowulf after defeating Grendel?

A golden banner, armor, and treasures

Which character lends Beowulf the sword “Hrunting”?

Unferth (2)

What is significant about Beowulf’s sword “Naegling”?

It breaks during his fight with the dragon

Who is the only warrior who stays loyal to Beowulf during the dragon fight?

Wiglaf (2)

What do Beowulf’s people fear will happen after his death?

Invasions from surrounding tribes and loss of protection

what is the exposition of stage 1?

King Hrothgar builds Heorot, yet Grendel attacks and kills many warriors

what is the rising action of stage 1?

Beowulf, a brave Geatish warrior, arrives to help Hrothgar

what is the crisis of stage 1?

Beowulf fights Grendel barehanded and rips off his arm. Grendel runs away and dies

what is the falling action of stage 1?

The Danes celebrate Beowulf’s victory

what is the denouement of stage 1?

Peace returns to Heorot, though a new threat is near.

what is the exposition of stage 2?

Grendel’s mother attacks Heorot to avenge her son

what is the rising action of stage 2?

Beowulf dives into her underwater lair to confront her

what is the crisis of stage 2?

Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother with a magical sword

what is the falling action of stage 2?

Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother with a magical sword found in the lair. He also cuts off Grendel’s mother’s head and brings it back

what is the denouement of stage 2?

King Hrothgar rewards Beowulf with a golden banner, armour, and treasures; he returns home in glory

what is the exposition of stage 3?

years later, Beowulf is a king and a dragon attacks

what is the rising action of stage 3?

King Beowulf in spite of being old, faces the dragon

what is the crisis of stage 3?

the battle of Beowulf and the dragon is fierce

what is the falling action of stage 3?

Beowulf kills the dragon and is fatally wounded. Beowulf accepts death

What is the denouement of stage 3?

His people build a great tower to honour him forever

What is the setting of Beowulf?

Beowulf is depicted in the 6th century AD in Denmark (Heorot) and Geatland (Sweden). The hero Beowulf defeats Grendel and Grendel’s mother, and later, as an old king in Geatland, he dies defeating a Dragon

What is the theme of Beowulf?

Fate, Bravery, Heroism, Loyalty, and the struggle of good and evil

what are literary devices in Beowulf?

Alliteration, kennings, foreshadowing, symbolism, hyperbole