English Literature Honors
Name: _________________
Beowulf Vocabulary
Due Monday, September 7th
EXAMPLE:
“The news of Grendel, hard to ignore, reach me at home: sailors brought stories of the plight you
suffer…” (409-411). NOUN
CONTEXT CLUE: “The news of Grendel,” a murdering monster, is clearly news of something terrible, so we
can assume it is a negative word. Also, since it says “the plight you suffer,” plight likely has to do with a
hardship that people face or suffer, in this case Grendel’s attacks.
DEFINITION: a condition, state, or situation, esp. an unfavorable or unfortunate one (Dictionary.com)
PRACTICE SENTENCE: The plight of the family after its house burned down did not go unnoticed by
neighbors, who collected goods to donate.
1) “And a young prince must be prudent like that, giving freely while his father lives so that
afterward in age when fighting starts steadfast companions will stand by him and hold the
line” (20-24). ADJ.
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
PRACTICE SENTENCE:
2) “He was numb with grief but got no respite for one night later merciless Grendel struck
again with more gruesome murders” (134-136). NOUN
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
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3) “So that troubled time continued, woe that never stopped, steady affliction for Healfdane’s
son, too hard an ordeal” (189-191). NOUN
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
PRACTICE SENTENCE:
4) “So every elder and experienced councilman among my people supported my resolve to
come here to you, King Hrothgar” (415-417). NOUN
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
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5) “His fatal departure was regretted by no one who witnessed his trail, the ignominious marks
of his flight where he’d skulled away, exhausted in spirit and beaten in battle, bloodying the
path, hauling his doom to the demons’ mere” (840-845). ADJ
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
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6) “He was utterly valiant and venturesome, a fence round his fighters and flourished
therefore after King Heremod’s prowess declined and his campaigns slowed down” (898901). NOUN
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
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7) “The sword dripped blood, the swordsman was elated” (1569). ADJ.
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
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8) “Then the golt hilt was handed over to the old lord, a relic from long ago for the venerable
ruler” (1677-1679). ADJ.
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
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9) “And then the man is hit in the heart, the arrow flies beneath his defenses, the devious
promptings of the demon start. His old possessions seem paltry to him now” (1745-1748).
ADJ.
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
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10) “They extolled his heroic nature and exploits and gave thanks for his greatness” (31733174). VERB
CONTEXT CLUE:
DEFINITION:
PRACTICE SENTENCE: