Beowulf Test Review

Study these questions to pass the Beowulf Test.

Describe the differences between the activity in the hall and the activity in Grendel’s lair.

Grendel’s lair is in the darkness with slime and is away from men. The activity in the hall consisted of loud singing, harps, and many warriors coming together in harmony.

Descrive how Hrothgar’s men feel about his leadership.

They lived happily in the hall until the monster came. They sang with pleasure it is thought that they were happy with his leadership.

Describe Grendel’s heritage.

He was concieved by a pair of monsters that were born of Cain and were murderous creatures.

What happened to the monsters born of Cain?

They were banished by God and punished for the crime of Abel’s death.

What does Grendel wonder about the warriors?

What the warriors will do in the hall once their drinking is done.

Describe Grendel’s activity after darkness falls that night.

He went up to Herot and slipped into the hall. He then snatched up thirty of the men and smashed them. He then went back to his lair while he was happy with what he did.

What souvenirs did he take back to his lair?

The bodies of the men he smashed.

What happens at daybreak?

They saw what Grendel had done and broke their long feast with tears and laments for the dead.

What is Hrothgar’s fear?

The beginning might not be the end

How were some able to survive?

They fled from Herot and slept in beds as far away as possible.

What happened to Herot after Grendel’s first visit? And for how long was it like so?

It was deserted/abandoned; 12 years(winters)

Where does Grendel reside after he scares off all of the men?

In Herot

What is the one thing Grendel will not disturb? Why?

Hrothgar’s Throne; It was protected by God

How did Hrothgar’s men attempt to remedy the problem with Grendel?

They sacrificed to the old stone gods, made heathen vows, hoping for hell’s supoort, and the devil’s guidence to help drive the monster away. They also wondered what the bravest warriors would do.

What did the attempts by the men tell us about the state of their minds and hearts?

They were hopeless and desperate.

Hall?

Herot

Cain?

Oldest child of Adam and Eve, killed his brother Abel.

Lair?

den; hiding place

Stalked

pursued stealthily; hunted

Why are the men so hopeless at the end of the section?

They are troubled because they do not know how to get rid of the monster and they are tired of losing hope.

Who is Healfdane’s son?

Hrothgar

Who is Higlac?

King of the Geats and Beowulf’s feudal lord and uncle

How is Beowulf described?

Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats; greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world.

How many men did he take with him to the battle?

14 men

How long did it take Beowulf and the men to get to their destination?

Unknown; however long they expected

What did they do immediately after landing their ship?

They pushed their boat into the sand and tied it in place; they thanked God for their easy crossing.

What type of welcome did the warriors recieve?

They were welcomed by Hrothgar’s Lieutenant with a spear and wanted to know why they landed.

What was Beowulf’s response to the demand?

He told the Lieutenant who they were and his father’s name. He also said that they were there to meet with the prince to settle the monster problem in the hall.

Who is Edgetho and how is he known?

Beowulf’s dad

What is the officer’s response to Beowulf’s explanation?

He allows them to pass

When the blessing is recieved, where do the men head?

They went to Herot

What blessing did they recieve on their way?

The guard pointed them in the direction of the hall?

Who wants to see them upon their arrival?

The king

Cousin?

used as a general term for a relative

Mead-hall?

a hall where mead (a drink made of fermented honey) was served.

What have Beowulf’s people said about his abilities?

His strength, he comes back successful.

What is Beowulf’s one request?

He wants to fight the monster with no weapons

Linden?

Very sturdy type of wood

Gorge

to fill by eating greedily

What will happen to their bodies if Grendel wins?

He will gorge his belly with their bodies

What will the people not have to do for the dead ones?

mourn because their will be no bodies to mourn for.

How does this section conclude?

All his men fall asleep but Beowulf stays awake waiting for Grendel

When Grendel emerges at the beginning of this section, what is his mood? His goal?

He is bearing God’s hatred; he was hoping to kill anyone that he could trap when he got to Herot

What was the suprise for Grendel when he returned to Herot?

Herot was firmly defended

Gruesome?

Horrible; ghastly

What plan would Grendel fulfill by the morning?

He was intending to tear the life from the bodies in the hall.

What did fate have as a plan?

It intended Grendel to gnaw on the broken bones of his last human supper.

What was watching Grendel? What does this infer?

Human eyes; Beowulf was watching Grendel

What happened to suprise Grendel?

He wanted to grab someone but he got grabbed instead

What is apposition?

It is used to rename or explain a person or thing

Give two indentifying, appositive phrases used to rename Grendel.

Shepherd of Evil; Guardian of Crime

What was Gredel’s reaction to this surprise?

His mind flooded with fear but nothing could take his talons and himself from the tight,hard grip.

What was his first instinct to do?

He thought about escaping from Beowulf and running back to the marsh to hide.

How did Grendel feel about his entrapment?

He just wanted freedom.

Writhing?

Making twisting or turning motions

How well did Herot withstand with battle with Grendel?

It stood firm and was built to withstand the blows.

What can destroy Herot by design?

Fire

Why were the weapons of Beowulf’s band useless against Grendel?

Spells were put onto the weapons which made them dull.

Did Grendel escape?

Yes

Who won the battle?

Beowulf

What was the proof of Beowulf’s victory?

the monster’s arm, claw, and shoulder was still on the rafter where Beowulf hung.

How does this section conclude?

They celebrate Beowulf’s victory but during the night Grendel’s mother comes and kills his closest friends. She also gets her child’s claw and goes back to their lair. Then the scared king tells Beowulf about their underwater lair and about the two monsters.

The conclusion entitled “The Monster’s Lair” is in quotation marks. Who is speaking?

The horrified king

What do the peasents describe seeing?

Two monsters, one female looking and the other being male but stronger.

Describe where the creatures live.

In deserted lands, away from people and sound. In dark places.

Why is a hunted deer afraid (other than being hunted)

He would rather die by the hand of a hunter than to save itself in the waters.

What is the request at the end of this section?

Beowulf is asked if he would save them again from Grendel and his mother

What is the reward?

Heaped up Ancient treasure

In the end, where is Beowulf headed?

The lake where Grendel’s mother lives.

Summarize this small section of the story.

The king talks to Beowulf about saving them again. He talks about what her like is like and describes the area around it. He also tells Beowulf about the reward he will get if he helps them again. He goes on to talk about how even the king’s peoplle have seen the treacherous monster.

Who is Edgetho’s brave son?

Beowulf

Name three of Beowulf’s reqyests in the event of his death.

He gives all the treasyre to Higlac; Makes Hrothgar leader of his comrades; gives his sword to Unferth

Where does Beowulf go? How long does it take to get there?

He went to the mother’s home; for years

How long has Grendel’s mother ruled the underwater world?

Half a hundred years

What damage did Grendel’s mother cause for Beowulf?

None. She could not harm him

What did Beowulf learn when he was brought into someone’s battle hall?

The water’s heat could not hurt him.

Who is the mihgty water witch mentioned?

Grendel’s mother

How is it known that Beowulf’s sword was ineffective?

It states that her guest discovered that no sword could slice her evil skin

Hrunting?

Beowulf’s sword

What happens to Beowulf’s helmet during battle? What was the effects of this incident?

The monster bit holes in it; It failed him too and it would earn no glory

What was Beowulf’s deepest desire?

Fame

What failed him? What did he use instead?

His sword; his hands

What saved Beowulf from Grendel’s mom’s attack with the dagger?

The woven mail shirt

What was Beowulf’s battle weapon at this point? What made it special?

A heavy sword; it was hammered by giants and blessedby their magic

Loathsome

Disgusting;detestable

What two body parts is Grendel missing due to Beowulf?

His arm and his head

What was the general agreement of the wise old warriors who surrounded Hrothgar waiting for Beowulf’s return?

They agreed that Grendel’s mother had killed Beowulf

Who gave up on Beowulf’s return? Who stayed and hoped for his return?

The deans; the geats

What two treasures did Beowulf keep from the monster’s hall?

Grendel’s head and the giant’s jeweled sword.

Describe the lake as Beowulf swam back to the surface.

The water was calm, clean, and peaceful now that the monsters were gone.

How hard was it for the men to carry Grendel’s skull? How was it carried?

Very; Took two men on each side of the spear that was put through the head.

When he returned to Herot, why did Beowulf seek out Hrothgar?

To salute him and show off Grendel’s head

At the end of the section, why did the warriors stare?

It was a weird and wonderful sight to see Beowulf with Grendel’s head.

After Beowulf and the Geats return home, what eventually happens to Beowulf?

He becomes the king

What feat does Beowulf once again decide to attempt?

He attempts to do another fight

What does Beowulf boast to the people?

Be says that he has never known fear and how when he was younger he fought in endless battles. He said that he will fight again and seek fame still if the dragon decides to face him.

Why does Beowulf seem to need his weapons and armor for this battle?

He needs his weapons because the dragon’s beath will be hot and his tongue will pour posion.

Who/what will determine the winner?

fate

Beowulf believes he will either be swept to a bitter death or?

all the dragon’s treasure will be his

What was the ultimate goal of both Beowulf and of the dragon?

Slaughter