Beowulf
in Language of Literature
Vocabulary - to help you understand
the archaic language and those terms
specific to the region!
Beowulf, Grendel, pages 33-35
Some of these words are footnotes or explained in sidenotes; make use of these aids.
Line number –
4
Harps
16 Fiends
17 Moors *
19 Spawned *
21
Banished
24
Exile
33
Sprawled
35 Greed
40
Lair *
43
Laments *
52
Assault
53
Quench
64
hell-forged
67
Relished *
70
Truce
73
Reparation
73
plundering
* - definition given
78
87
91
94
100
marsh
debated remedies
heathen
affliction
solace
Beowulf – Beowulf, pages 36-39
Vocabulary, refer to line number to find if context helps you with the definition.
Line number –
106
Agony
113 “fitted out”
117
Omens
123
Prow
126 sea fares
139 mail shirt
146 mead-halls
158 errand
166 purge *
172 linden (shield) *
178 gorge *
180 mourn
185 fret
185 shrouds *
206 Furrows
216 ale
Beowulf – The Battle with Grendel, pages 40-44
Vocabulary – refer to the line number if context will help you determine meaning.
Line number –
234 Bogs
246 Threshold
247 Inlaid
249 Gruesome
258 Gnaw
285 Infamous *
289 Writhing *
307 Cowering *
311 taut *
325 Bewitched
326 Blunted
331 afflictor
338 Sinews
349 Purged
363
367
373
376
384
gaped
corpselike
murky *
pilgrimage *
belittle
Beowulf – Grendel’s Mother, pages 45-46
Refer to the line number so you can check context to help you figure out the meaning of the different words.
Line numbers –
(* indicates either a footnote or a sidenote)
400 Vane
404 Boar-headed helmets *
413 Assured
417 Noble
436 Stag
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother, pages 47-51
459
503
504
518
525
533
538
550
565
590
Clutched
Avenge
Blunted
Hilt
Rejoiced
Vicious
loathsome *
Graybeards *
Fetters *
staggering
Beowulf – Beowulf’s Last Battle, pages 52-55
Use the number lines to help find context to determine meaning.
Line number –
606 Uttered
643 Current
646 Battle cry
648 Hoary *
656 coiled
648 Unsheathed
684 Dwelling
696 kinship
The Death of Beowulf, pages 56-59
737
738
742
768
816
836
837
849
859
862
Livid wound *
Unwound
Heir
Groped
Spit of land *
javelins *
Shamefaced jackals *
Traitors
bolted *
Branded with disgraced
Beowulf – Mourning Beowulf, page 60
You should know most of the
unusual words by now!
Beowulf - vocabulary quiz
Define the following words we’ve encountered while reading
Beowulf. Write a definition or use the word in a sentence with a
meaningful context.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Fiend
Moors
Banished
Lair
Truce
Marsh
Heathen
Omens
Seafarers
Mail shirt
11. mead-halls
12. mourn
13. ale
14. bogs
15. gruesome
16. gnaw
17. loathsome
18. graybeards
19. unsheathed
20. traitors