Carolina Hamilton
6th Period
9/17/21
Beowulf Study Guide
Anglo-Saxon History- (449-1066)
1. What was the name of the settlers of Britain who were ultimately driven out of England into Wales? Who is
considered their greatest hero? Britons. King Arthur.
2. In 55 B.C., General Julius Caesar invaded England and began over 300 years of Roman rule. Name two
contributions they made that lasted after they left in 409 A.D.?
a. Under Roman rule, a network of roads was built along with a defensive wall seventy-three miles long
(Hadrian’s Wall).
b. The Romans left Britain in 409 A.D. because barbarians were attacking Rome; they left a country without
a centralized government, which was subject to successful invasion.
3. What made the Anglo-Saxon invasions of England possible? The barbarians attacking Rome.
4. Who chose the Anglo-Saxon kings? Witan (a council of elders).
5. Who helped the king provide the protection and security needed by the tribes? Thanes (warriors).
6. What is the significance of treasure and rings in Anglo-Saxon society?
a. Became a metaphor for success.
b. Sealed the loyalty of the thanes.
c. Used as the reward for good behavior.
d. Settled feuds.
e. Stabilized society.
7. In return for the protection and rewards provided by the king, what was expected from the king’s followers?
Courage and loyalty.
8. According to the Anglo-Saxons, what controlled human existence? Fate.
9. In Anglo-Saxon society, feuding (warfare) was necessary unless what was paid by the killer or murderer? Wergild
(man-price).
10. How did Christianity impact Anglo-Saxon society?
a. It softened the ferocity of a warring people.
b. It promoted peace.
c. It played a major role in unifying the English people.
d. It brought education and written literature through the Christian monasteries.
11. Who is considered the father of English history, and in what language did he record his history?
a. Venerable Bede (673-735).
b. Latin.
12. What people invaded England in the 8th century? Provide the name which was originally used to describe these
people and the name by which they came to be known.
a. Vikings
b. Norway and Denmark.
13. Who kept these invaders from conquering all of England, and what was the name of the area he governed?
a. The king of Wessex.
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b. Wessex.
14. What was the name of the treaty that brought temporary peace between the Anglo-Saxons and the invaders? The
Danelaw.
15. What are some other significant contributions made by this Anglo-Saxon king?
a. Preserved pre-Danish civilization in Britain.
b. Encourage rebirth of education and learning.
c. Translated the Bede’s works from Latin into Anglo-Saxon vernacular (Old English).
d. Kept records of English History called The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
16. What was the significant event that took place after the death of Edward the Confessor? The language of the
Anglo-Saxons was Old English which was had German influences. What was the language that was introduced into
English society at this time?
a. Normans invaded England.
b. English-literature.
Anglo-Saxon Literature
17. Define “epic.”- a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the
values of a particular society.
18. List and define the two categories of Anglo-Saxon poetry? How many lines of this poetry still exist today?
a. Heroic poetry- recounted achievements of warriors involved in great battles (fame).
b. Elegiac poetry- sorrowful - laments or mourns about deaths of loved ones or loss of the past.
c. 30,000 lines still exist today.
19. How many beats are found in a line of Anglo-Saxon poetry? 4.
20. Define caesura, and provide an example from Beowulf.
a. Often the verse line is divided into two halves separated by a rhythmical pause, or caesura. In one half, two
words would commonly alliterate; in the other half, one word alliterates with the two from the other half.
b. “Then, when darkness had dropped, Grendel Went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors (caesura after
Herot) Would do in that hall when their drinking was done.”
21. Define alliteration, and provide an example from Beowulf.
a. Is the repetition of words.
b. “…the tears torn out of Grendel’s taut throat….”
22. Define kennings, and provide the three (3) types and examples of each from Beowulf.
a. Is when you take 2 words that mean something different, but you put them together to mean a new thing.
b. Bookworm = someone who reads a lot
c. Four-eyes = someone who wears glasses
d. First Lady - wife of the president
23. What was the name of those who recited poetry in the Anglo-Saxon mead-halls? Scops.
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24. What is known or suspected about the author of Beowulf? People suspected that the author could be a Christian
monk.
25. What kind of literary work is Beowulf? (an EPIC poem)
Define this genre, and list five (5) characteristics contained in Beowulf?
a. The hero embodies the national ideal.
b. The setting is vast in scope in place and time.
c. The main character has valor, tremendous strength, superhuman courage, and suffers greatly.
d. Supernatural forces are involved.
e. It is concerned with human values and moral choices.
26. What are the divisions of Anglo-Saxon poetry called? Cantos
27. List the ethics of pagan tradition contained in Beowulf:
a. Love of war.
b. Extolled (praise) the virtues of courage and loyalty.
c. Believed in the necessity for feud.
d. Believed that human life was in the hands of wyrd (fate) instead of the Christian belief in the freedom of an
individual to determine his own path.
28. List the ethics of Christian tradition contained in Beowulf:
a. Obedience to God.
b. Observance of God’s laws.
c. Avoidance of pride.
29. What is the Theory of Divine Right of Kings? List the three (3) corollaries to this theory.
a. A good king makes the country prosper (harmony in nature).
b. There is a soul of nature shared by king, God, and nature.
c. If the king is harmed, nature reacts violently (in sympathy).
Beowulf
Canto 1
30. What are the monster’s three (3) problems? Provide textual evidence to support your answer.
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1.) He looks like a monster. “Human Eyes were watching his evil steps, Waiting to see his swift hand claws. Grendel
snatched at the first Geat He came to, ripped him apart, cut His body to bits with his powerful jaws… And Grendel’s
great teeth came together, Snapping life shut.” (lines 259-269) Grendel is a huge evil monster with claws, powerful
jaws and horrifying teeth.
2.) He was cursed by God because he is a descendant of Cain. “Conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain,
murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death. The Almighty drove those
demons out, and their exile was bitter,” (lines 20-24). Cain and Abel were brothers in the Bible. However, Cain
thought that Abel was their father’s favorite. This made Cain jealous. Because of this Cain killed his brother and was
forced as a punishment to turn evil forever.
3.) He is jealous of the happy men. “A powerful monster, living down In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient As day
after day the music rang Loud in that hall, the harp’s rejoicing Call and the poet’s clear songs, sung of us Of the ancient
beginnings of us all, recalling The Almighty making the earth.” (lines 1-7) Grendel was jealous of the happy men singing in
the mead hall because they get to experience seeing the sun and the moon and all of Earth’s treasures while Grendel cannot
because he is a descendant of Cain.
31. What poetic device is evident in the following quote? “…Hrothgar’s men lived happy in his hall.” Alliteration
because of the repeat of the letter h at the beginning of 3 words.
32. When the poet says that a monster was “conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain,” he is using which
poetic device? To what is he referring?
a. Allusion (refers to something that came before, often biblical).
b. He’s referring to Cain the 1st born son of Adam and Eve.
33. To what symbolic conflict does this poem allude? Cain murdered his brother Abel because of jealousy. Beowulf is
symbolic of Cain and Hrothgar’s men are symbolic of Abel.
34. It can be seen in this first canto that Beowulf is a blending of what? An epic hero.
Canto 2
35. What is the monster’s name? Grendal.
36. Which poetic device can be seen in the following quote? “…when darkness had dropped, Grendel went up to
Herot, wondering what the warriors would do in that hall when their drinking was done.” Caesura
37. When the monster first attacks Herot, how many Danes were killed? He killed 30 men. (line 37)
38. Provide a quote from this canto that indicates the poet’s use of imagery. “The Almighty
making the earth.” (line 7)
39. What literary element is the poet using in the following quote? “He [Hrothgar] wept,
fearing the beginning might not be the end.” Who would have “told and sung” of Hrothgar’s
“misery”?
a. Foreshadowing
b. The word spread across the sea.
40. “No one waited for reparation from his [Grendel’s] plundering claws.” This quote alludes to which Anglo-Saxon
custom? Human life was in the hands of wyrd (fate) instead of the Christian belief in the freedom of an individual to
determine his own path.
41. “… that shadow of death hunted in the darkness….” Which two poetic devices are utilized here by the poet?
Explain.
a. Personification because death does not have a shadow and cannot hunt.
b. Kenning because the shadow of death is referring to Grendel.
42. What type of kenning is “mankind’s enemy”? It is another word for Grendal.
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43. What remained undamaged in Hrothgar’s mead-hall? Why?
a. The roof.
b. Because the roof provides them protection.
44. “…sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods…” is a reference to what? Pagan beliefs.
45. What is the poet doing in lines 91-103? He is referring to the Christian bible even though it did not exist in the
time he was writing about.
Canto 3
46. “…living sorrow…is an example of which poetic device? Is a kenning.
47. Who is Healfdane’s son? Hrothgar.
48. Who is Higlac? The king of the Geats. He is Beowulf’s uncle.
49. From what tribe is Beowulf? He is from the Geats.
50. Provide textual evidence that indicates why Beowulf comes to the Danes aid. Beowulf came to the aid of the Danes
because Hrothgar’s once helped Beowulf’s father. “So the living sorrow of Healfdane’s son Simmered, bitter and fresh,
and no wisdom Or strength could break it: that agony hung On king and people alike, harsh And unending, violent and
cruel, and evil. In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s Follower and the strongest of the Geats—greater And stronger than
anyone anywhere in this world— Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror And quickly commanded a boat fitted out,
Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar.” (lines 104-115)
51. “The omens were good…is an example of what? Pagan elements
52. How many thanes accompanied Beowulf? He took 14 men (from line 121)
53. Provide textual evidence that indicates the story takes place in Denmark. “He knew the sea, would point the prow
Straight to that distant Danish shore.” (line 123-124)
Canto 4
54. Who greets Beowulf and his men on Denmark’s shores? What does he ask them to leave on the shore until after
they have met with Hrothgar? What should the reader infer is the reason Wulfgar makes this request?
a. Wulfgar.
b. Battle shields and spears.
c. They want to come in peace.
55. List the feats that Beowulf says recommend him.
a. He defended his people in battle.
b. He killed the last of the giants.
c. He killed monsters in the ocean.
56. To what is Beowulf alluding when he says, “…Grendel and I are called together….”? Grendal killed Beowulf’s
father and Beowulf sees this as an opportunity for revenge.
57. Why might Beowulf want to fight Grendel bare-handed? Grendal does not have a weapon so Beowulf considers it
dishonorable to use a weapon himself.
58. Provide an example of imagery from this canto involving Grendel. “For its grave: Grendel will carry our bloody
Flesh to the moors, crunch on our bones And smear torn scraps of our skin on the walls Of his den.” (line 181-184)
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59. What request of Hrothgar does Beowulf make in the event he is killed by Grendel? He wants him to return his
armor to Higlac.
Canto 5
60. Who is Edgetho? Beowulf’s father.
61. What did Hrothgar pay to the Wulfings to end their feud with Edgetho? What might this infer about Beowulf’s
desire to help the Danes?
a. Hrothgar sent ancient tresasures through the ocean to the Wulfings.
b. This infers that Beowulf would expect treasure in return if he defeated Grendel.
62. Provide an example of imagery from this canto? The carved flakes pouring the bright sweetness at line 227-229
63. What poetic device is evident in the following quote? Imagery is shown in this quote. “The keeper of the mead
came carrying out the carved flasks, and poured that bright sweetness.” (line 227-229)
Canto 6
64. Define “vexed.” Troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances.
65. What was happening when Beowulf was challenged by Unferth? When Beowulf arrives at Heorot Hall, Unferth
challenges him by telling the story of a swimming contest that Beowulf once lost to a man named Breka. However,
Beowulf says that he only lost because he had to fight nine sea monsters after five days in icy water.
66. Provide an example of personification from this canto.
67. With whom had Beowulf engaged in a swimming match (include his tribe), and how long did it last? What excuse
does Beowulf give for his defeat?
a. He engaged in a swimming match on the open sea with another boy, a royal member of the Brondings tribe
named Breca.
b. It lasted 5 days.
c. Beowulf said that Unferth was drunk and told his own version of the contest. Beowulf said that he lost the
contest because he had to fight sea monsters for 5 days.
68. Which poetic device is evident in the following quote? “…Unferth, my friend, your face is hot with ale….” What
is Beowulf really saying?
a. I think it’s a metaphor?
b. He is saying that Unferth is really drunk.
Canto 7
69. What literary element is utilized in the following quote? “I treated them politely, offering the edge of my razorsharp sword.” Litotes and alliteration
70. Provide an example of euphemism from this canto. "Hrothgar's heart was bent" (broken)
71. How many sea monsters did Beowulf say he killed? He said he killed 9 sea monsters.
72. Provide a modern paraphrase for the following quote. “Fate saves the living when they drive away death by
themselves!” Though "fate" is in the quote, it is not a Pagan belief, but rather a Judeo/Xian influence because "when
they drive away death by themselves", the living (Beowulf) is executing free will.
73. What are the three (3) ways Beowulf responds to Unferth that go unchallenged? Which of these ways do you think
is the most damaging, and why? What is Unferth’s response?
a.
b.
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c.
d.
74. What is the significance of the term “ring-giver”? What poetic device does it represent?
a.
b.
75. Who “raised a flowing cup to Hrothgar first, …then…went from warrior to warrior, pouring a portion….”?
Welthow
76. “My purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle…” is an example of which literary
element? Foreshadowing?
77. What poetic device can be found in the following quote? “…night had covered earth with its net….”
Personification.
78. What is Beowulf promised if he kills Grendel? Hrothgar wishes Beowulf luck and promises him anything he might
ask for if he can defeat Grendel.
Canto 8
79. Provide textual evidence from this canto that states Grendel’s problem. Grendel keeps attacking
people. “With rows of young soldiers resting together. And his heart laughed, he relished the sight,
Intended to tear the life from those bodies By morning; the monster’s mind was hot With the thought of
food and the feasting his belly Would soon know.” (lines 252-255)
80. Provide an example of imagery from this canto involving the first Geat
attacked by Grendel. Grendel snatched at the first Geat He came to,
ripped him apart, cut His body to bits with powerful jaws, Drank the blood
from his veins and bolted Him down, hands and feet; death And
Grendel’s great teeth came together, Snapping life shut.
81. From your knowledge of Anglo-Saxon society, what can you infer about the sleeping habits of the Anglo-Saxons,
the Danes and the Geats? When warriors fall asleep within Heorot’s decorated walls, they initiate a sequence of events
that ultimately ends in slaughter and death. This pattern of sleep, attack, and death predictably appears in each of the
monster episodes. Humans sleep and fall prey to an otherworld attacker, who eventually receives death as punishment.
Interestingly, the roles of the characters are reversed in the dragon scene. Here, the dragon’s sleep exposes him to harm
at the hands of a human, the thief, whose guilt is transferred to Beowulf. In this way, sleep designates the victims and
the attackers, but it also helps the audience predict the judgment that will take place at the end of each episode. This
judgment becomes specifically Christian when contextualized by other Anglo-Saxon accounts of sleep. As in these
texts, sleep in Beowulf functions as a liminal zone connecting the world of the humans with an Otherworld. The
intersection of these worlds in Beowulf follows the structural paradigm of the popular “Doomsday motif,” in which an
angry Christ comes to earth to surprise a sleeping humanity. A study of the verbal and thematic similarities of Beowulf
and Christ III best exemplifies this connection. Other mythographic traditions of Christian judgment within Anglo- iv
Saxon texts appear throughout Beowulf. Motifs of Christ’s second coming surround Grendel as he approaches Heorot,
and his entrance echoes Christ’s harrowing of Hell. The fight in Grendel’s mother’s lair recalls redemption through
water: Beowulf’s immersion represents baptism and the hilt of the sword which saves the Danish nation depicts the
great Flood. Finally, the dragon’s fire and its resulting annihilation of a people, at least indirectly, resounds with
apocalyptic undertones.
82. Who is the “wakeful sleeper”? What poetic device does this represent?
a. Beowulf.
b. Kenning.
83. Provide textual evidence that indicates Grendel’s wish once he is “clutched” by Beowulf. The monster’s flight,
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fastened those claws In his fists till they cracked, clutched Grendel. (line 283-284)
84. “Almighty’s enemy” is an example of what type of kenning? Hyphenated kenning.
85. Provide an example of alliteration from this canto using “t.” I couldn’t find any, but I found one with the letter “s”.
The words, 'Up from his swampland, sliding silently,' allow us to imagine Grendel slipping into the hall unseen.
Canto 9
86. “Protector of men” is an example of what type of kenning? Prepositional kenning.
87. Define “comitatus.” Did Beowulf’s men show this during his battle with Grendel? If so, what was the result?
a. In Anglo-Saxon literature, comitatus refers to a relationship that benefited both noblemen and freemen.
b. Yes.
c. The result was the men had a celebration in the mead hall and Beowulf became king.
88. To whom was credit given for the victory? Provide textual evidence for your answer. Beowulf. “Then
he stepped to another Still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws, Grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful
sleeper And was instantly seized himself, claws Bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm. That shepherd of
evil, guardian of crime, Knew at once that nowhere on earth Had he met a man whose hands were harder;
His mind was flooded with fear.” (line 268-276)
89. Define “sinews.” A tendon; often, sinews; the source of strength, power, or vigor.
90. Provide an example of imagery from this canto indicating the outcome of
Beowulf’s struggle with Grendel? Then he stepped to another Still body, clutched at
Beowulf with his claws, Grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper-And was
instantly seized himself.” (line 268-271)
91. How did the Danes know Beowulf had defeated the monster? Beowulf hung Grendel's arm, claw, shoulder and all
high from the rafters as proof that he had indeed killed the monster.
Canto 10
92. To where did Grendel flee after his loss to Beowulf? Grendel finally manages to escape from Beowulf's grip but is
fatally wounded after Beowulf rips the monster's arm from his body. Grendel then flees to his mother's lair, where he
dies from his fatal wound.
93. Provide textual evidence that indicates that the poet wanted Grendel’s lair to symbolize hell. Conceived by a pair
of those monsters born Of Cain. (line 20-21)
94. Who does Grendel’s mother kill and carry off in revenge for her son’s death? What should the reader infer is the
reason Beowulf didn’t prevent this from happening?
a. Grendel’s mother killed one of the men and carried one of Grendel’s arms with her.
b. Because he wanted to see how she would react.
Canto 11
95. What poetic device is being used when Hrothgar says, “At night that lake burns like a torch.” Simile
96. When Hrothgar describes the behavior of deer hunted to this spot, the poet is attempting to instill a sense of what?
Wonder
97. “…the heavens weep…” is an example of what poetic device? Personification.
98. The poet wants Grendel’s home to symbolize what? Provide textual evidence indicating two ways the poet uses
imagery to accomplish this (poetic devices and diction).
a. Grendel’s home symbolize hell.
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b. Poetic devices: Imagery
c. Diction (word choice): Sorrowful words.
99. What is Beowulf promised if he is again victorious? He promised that Grendel would never be seen again and
drinking in the mead hall will last forever.
Canto 12
100. “For hours he sank through the waves…” is an example of what poetic device? Hyperbole.
101. “…fame comes to the men who mean to win it and care about nothing else!” This quote reflects which literary
element? The hero's character traits reflect important ideals of his society.
102. What saves Beowulf from Grendel’s mother and the “sea beasts”? His armor.
103. Unferth, as an apology for his challenge at the banquet, lends Beowulf his family sword. What was the name of
the sword, and what effect does this weapon have on Grendel’s mother? Why?
a. Hrunting.
b. The sword didn’t touch her skin.
c. Because the sword wasn’t magically made, so he had to kill her with his bare hands.
104. What three (3) things failed Beowulf against this monster?
a. His strength
b. Unreth’s sword
c. His mighty hand-grip
105. Why isn’t the monster successful in stabbing Beowulf with her dagger? Because he had armor to protect him.
Canto 13
106. How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? Why is this successful?
a. He killed Grendel’s mother with a bigger sword.
b. This was successful because it was able to cut her body open.
107. Provide the quote from this canto that indicates the poet’s use of foreshadowing? “So she reached Herot, Where
the Danes slept as though already dead; Her visit ended their good fortune, reversed The bright vane of their luck.” (line
397-400)
108. What is “…Heaven’s own candle…”? Which stands for the sun--comparing the brightness of the light in the hall
to the brightness of the sun.
109. Provide an example of alliteration from this canto using “w.” I couldn’t find any with a “w” but I found this. “I've
never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles, I am old now, But I will fight again, seek fame still If the
dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.”
110. What does Beowulf do after he defeats the water witch? After he killed the Water Witch, he looked by the fire
and saw Grendel's body lying next to it. He cut Grendel's head off and headed back to the top of the Lake. As he
reached the top everyone including me praised him and cheered to him. This was once again another time that Beowulf
had saved my people from evil.
111. What does Beowulf give to King Hrothgar? He brings back Grendel’s arm.
112. How many years pass before Beowulf faces the fire dragon? How old might he now be?
a. 50 years have passed.
b. 80 years old.
113. What made the dragon angry? When a slave enters its lair and takes a cup from its treasure.
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114. Provide textual evidence indicating what the dragon is doing that requires Beowulf’s response. “And this dragon’s
treasure, his gold And everything hidden in that tower, will be mine Or war will sweep me to a bitter death!” (line 630632)
Canto 14
115. What weapons does Beowulf plan to use against the fire dragon? Beowulf plans to use a heavy metal shield and
his trusty sword.
116. He is not confident of victory, so upon what does Beowulf say he is relying? Provide the Anglo-Saxon name as
well. He is relying on his perseverance to keep fighting. Perseverance is the Anglo-Saxon name.
117. “We shall see, soon, who will survive…” is an example of what poetic device? Alliteration.
118. Which of his weapons fail him? Explain. His sword because it couldn’t get through the dragon’s body.
Canto 15
119. Who comes to Beowulf’s aid against the fire dragon? What one word in the poem motivates this thane to action?
What is the Anglo-Saxon word for this kind of loyalty?
a. Wiglaf.
b. fate
c. comitatus.
Canto 16
120. Provide textual evidence that indicates to whom Beowulf gives credit for the victory/the death of the fire dragon?
He wants to fight alone and give credit on himself. “I feel no shame, with shield and sword And armor, against this
monster: when he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting Flames, stand till fate decides Which of us
wins.” (line 618-622)
121. Who does Beowulf think of as he is dying? His son.
122. Provide textual evidence that indicates that Beowulf is interested in fame? “But I will fight again, seek fame still.”
(line 609)
123. What does Beowulf give Wiglaf, and what does this indicate?
a. He sends Wiglaf to inspect the dragon's treasure and bring him a portion of it.
b. Saying that death will be easier if he sees the hoard that he has liberated. Wiglaf descends into the barrow
and quickly returns to Beowulf with an armload of treasure.
124. What does Beowulf say that foreshadows the end of his family? The poem begins with the funeral of Shield
Sheafing
125. What could the dragon be a symbol for to Beowulf? Greed.
126. To the Geats, who might Beowulf symbolize? Epic hero.
127. According to Wiglaf, what had Beowulf’s thanes failed to uphold? Provide the Anglo-Saxon name as well.
Protection and bravery.
128. Describe Beowulf’s burial. They put Beowulf in a boat full of treasure and gifts and sailed him away.
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129. Beowulf had wanted his people to have the fire dragon’s treasure, but Wiglaf has the treasure buried with
Beowulf. What might the reader infer is Wiglaf’s reasoning for this action? Because he wants the treasure.
130. What kind of poetry laments the death of a hero or the passing of an age? Elegy.