Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Unit Test Review
Know about the following from the background, part 1, and part 2 of Beowulf: Hrothgar, Brecca,
Unferth, Wiglaf, Grendel, Hrunting, Herot , Beowulf, Kennings (Beowulf, ring-giver, Wexstan’s son, etc.),
Weregild, Stock Epithet, pagan and Christian beliefs, characteristics of an epic hero, characteristics of an epic
poem, monasteries role in Anglo-Saxon society
“Grendel’s Mother”
Know the following:
● Characterization of Grendel’s mother
● Details on the attack--who, what, where, when, why, how, what was the result
● Study the imagery of the location of Grendel’s mother’s lair the lake
○ What does this tell us about it? Note any figurative language and its purpose.
● Contrast the attacks of Grendel from part 1 and his mother from part 2
● Concepts: imagery, diction, tone, kenning, stock epithet
“The Battle with Grendel’s Mother”
Know the following:
● Characterization of Grendel’s mother
○ What does she go through? What happens to her?
● Characterization of Beowulf from his descent into the lake through his return to the surface
○ What does he go through? How does he survive? What is the result?
○ How does Beowulf epitomize traits of an epic hero in this section?
● Details about the battle--who, what, where, when, why, how, what was the result
● Study the imagery of the location of Grendel’s mother’s lair in the lake
○ What does this tell us about it? Note any figurative language and its purpose.
● Reactions of Geats and Danes and the significance--both while Beowulf is fighting below the water and
after his return to the surface
“Beowulf’s Last Battle”
Know the following:
● Concepts: kenning, foreshadowing, use of pagan/Christian elements and their purpose, alliteration
● Details of Beowulf’s battle with the dragon
○ what works, what doesn’t, what is the result, note his struggles
● Characterization of Beowulf
● Characterization of Wiglaf
“The Death of Beowulf”
Know the following:
● Concepts: use of pagan/Christian elements and their purpose
● Details of Beowulf’s battle with the dragon--who wins, how, what is the result
● Significance of the interaction between Beowulf and Wiglaf prior to Beowulf’s death
● Know the requests of Beowulf upon his death.
● Understand the significance of the actions of Beowulf’s men; what will their punishment be?
● Characterization of Wiglaf
“Mourning Beowulf”
● Understand the significance of what the Geats do upon the death of Beowulf.
● How do they honor him? Why? How do they show their feelings about his death?
● Make connections between this passage and Anglo-Saxon culture and society.