Questions and Answers for Beowulf
Beowulf
Kennings In Beowulf
Kennings are metaphorical compound words, and they were used to great extent in Old English and Old Norse poetry. They function as a way to make an ordinary noun more descriptive or awe inspiring....
Beowulf
What are important characteristics within Beowulf that make Beowulf an epic hero?
Beowulf embodies several traits that make him a textbook epic hero. Some of these traits include his larger-than-life physical strength, his courage in the face of extreme danger, and his loyalty...
Beowulf
What is a short summary of the epic poem Beowulf?
Beowulf is the story, in epic poem form, of a great Geat warrior who came to the aid of the Danish King Hrothgar in defeating a monster that was terrorizing his people. The monster, Grendel, was a...
Beowulf
Beowulf Characteristics
Beowulf is above all courageous and loyal. These two traits inform most of his actions over the course of the poem. He is courageous in that he is willing to face monsters that give even other...
Beowulf
What causes Grendel to attack the mead-hall Herot in Beowulf?
As other contributors have already pointed out, Grendel is acting out of envy and spite. Miserable, he lashes out at the Danes, jealous of the happiness which human beings can enjoy. In this sense,...
Beowulf
What are the kennings used during Beowulf's battle with Grendel?
A kenning is basically a two-word description in place of a more common one-word noun or name. Kennings are often seen in Anglo Saxon poetry, which was originally transmitted orally. In Beowulf, as...
Beowulf
Why does Beowulf insist on fighting Grendel without weapons in Beowulf?
Beowulf is in search of glory and he hears of the terrible mess Herot and Hrothgar are in and is determined to make a name for himself. He states that he will fight this monster without weapons,...
Beowulf
How does Grendel die in Beowulf?
Grendel suffers a fatal wound during his battle with the revered warrior Beowulf in Heorot Hall. While the warriors sleep inside of the magnificent Heorot Hall, Grendel arrives with bloody...
Beowulf
In Beowulf, what details describe Grendel's mother in her lair?
In chapter XXII of Beowulf, Grendel's mother's lair is described (as Beowulf descends into the cave to destroy her). (On a side note, many epic heroes were required to make a journey into the...
Beowulf
Describe Grendel physically using quotes from Beowulf.
Grendel is a supernatural villain, the first of three monsters that Beowulf must fight in the epic poem. He is first described as "a fiend out of hell" who "began to work his evil." He is said to...
Beowulf
Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel.
The dramatic showdown between the great hero Beowulf and Grendel takes place in the magnificent Herot Hall, which Grendel has been terrorizing for twelve consecutive years. The audience has been...
Beowulf
What is the physical description of Grendel in the epic poem Beowulf?
Grendel is described as a very large, very strong, bloodthirsty, and cannibalistic creature. Beyond that, we get little physical description. He has been attacking Heorot, the mead hall, for twelve...
Beowulf
From Beowulf, give two examples of kennings and two examples of alliteration. Provide the line numbers.
A kenning is a distinctive feature of Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse poetry. Essentially, it is a type of metaphor, but particularly it is a compound expression which would have a generally understood...
Beowulf
Where does Grendel's mother live?
Grendel's mother lives in a cave beneath what is called a mere. A mere is a 12th Century term for a standing body of water. The Old English term can mean a lake, but given the amount of time it...
Beowulf
What are the character traits of Grendel's mother in "Beowulf"?
Grendel and his mother in Beowulf are both what critics call "flat" characters. They do not have any great degree of psychological complexity but instead exist purely as antagonists to Beowulf....
Beowulf
Why does Beowulf ask Wiglaf to build him a tomb and call it Beowulf's tower?
Beowulf asks Wiglaf to build him a tower as a tomb to signify that he, Beowulf, was the greatest warrior of all time.Wiglaf explains: He was still himself, Alive, aware, and in spite of his...
Beowulf
What's an example of a kenning in Beowulf?
Anglo-Saxon poets certainly have a way with words. One of their favorite means of adding linguistic interest to their poems is the kenning. A kenning is a compound word or short phrase that stands...
Beowulf
What are some examples of alliteration, hyperbole, litotes, kennings, and epithets in the Old English poem Beowulf?...
Examples of alliteration, epithets, hyperbole, kennings, and litotes occur throughout the Old English epic poem Beowulf, and often many of these traits appear together. Notice, for instance, how...
Beowulf
What is the moral of Beowulf?
The moral of Beowulf is that it is better to die young with heroism and virtue than to grow to a ripe old age being cowardly and avoiding your responsibilities. Beowulf shows great courage and...
Beowulf
What are some similarities between Grendel and Beowulf? I'm writing a research paper for my English class. My topic...
Beowulf, the hero of the Anglo-Saxon epic poem of the same name, and Grendel, the villainous monster whom Beowulf must slay, certainly have some similarities, despite their opposing roles. They...
Beowulf
What is example of caesura in Beowulf?
Caesura, in verse, is a pause in a line that exists where a person would naturally pause while speaking. This pause can come at the beginning of a line (called initial); at the end of the line...
Beowulf
Revenge In Beowulf
Envy and revenge are both central themes to Beowulf, and they're both addressed in numerous ways. Envy: The clearest example of envy can be seen in Grendel's response to Heorot's happy, rowdy, and...
Beowulf
What makes Beowulf an epic poem?
According to poets.org, an epic poem is: a long, often book-length, narrative in verse form that retells the heroic journey of a single person or a group of persons. Elements that typically...
Beowulf
How does Beowulf reflect the ideals of a particular society?
Beowulf is an archetypal hero, which means he represents the ideal qualities for his culture and in fact for many cultures. In the Anglo-Saxon world, the idea of warrior-king was highly revered,...
Beowulf
What are three examples of Beowulf's superhuman strength throughout the story?
Beowulf's extraordinary strength is made most plain when he fights Grendel in the first third of the poem. He battles with his own bare hands as opposed to using a weapon, which displays both his...
Beowulf
In Beowulf, what happens to the sword Beowulf uses against Grendel's mother?
The sword that Beowulf uses to kill Grendel's mother is the sword that he discovers in her lair once he gets there and faces almost certain defeat at her hands. This sword is described as having...
Beowulf
Why Does Beowulf Travel To Herot
In short, Beowulf travels to Herot to challenge and vanquish the monster Grendel, who he has heard is wreaking havoc and horror upon Hrothgar's kingdom. Hrothgar is too old to fight and his sons...
Beowulf
What does this quote mean from Beowulf? (pg 43) "I claim myself no poorer in war-strength, war works, then Grendel...
Here, Beowulf is boasting that he is just as strong as Grendel, if not stronger. Hrothgar has already made it clear that, despite possible initial reservations, he ultimately trusts Beowulf to...
Beowulf
What monsters does Beowulf encounter and defeat in the epic Beowulf?
The first encounter Beowulf has with monsters is presented in retrospect, taking place before the main action of the epic. This involves a swimming contest during which Beowulf encounters and...
Beowulf
What is the main plot of Beowulf (edited by M. A. Roberts)?
The main plot of Beowulf involves his heroic quests and lasting legacy as a revered warrior and king of Geatland. On Beowulf's first heroic quest, he travels overseas to help Hrothgar, king of the...
Beowulf
In Beowulf what are the 2 things Grendel's mother took from the great halls of the Danes? What two things did...
Grendel’s mother made her way to Heorot to avenge her son’s death after the monster sustained a fatal wound during the fight with Beowulf. Grendel attacked the Thanes in the mead hall until they...
Beowulf
What is the lesson in morality in Beowulf?
The moral lesson I'm always struck with in Beowulf is selflessness. Hrothgar has been plagued by the ravages of Grendel for a long time; when Beowulf finally hears of it, he simply gets ready to...
Beowulf
Grendel's Lair
Herot or Heorot Hall was commissioned by King Hrothgar to be built as a mead hall for his warriors. In the poem, the mead hall is called the "greatest of hall-buildings." It is where King Hrothgar...
Beowulf
How did Beowulf show loyalty in the story?
Nearly everything that Beowulf does over the course of his grand exploits and adventures is done for the sake of loyalty. Indeed, loyalty is perhaps one of Beowulf's most defining characteristics...
Beowulf
In Beowulf, what kind of mood does this long poem convey?
While it is true the mood changes a number of times throughout Beowulf, to answer what mood the poem conveys overall requires consideration of its form. This is an epic poem: long, narrative, and...
Beowulf
I need examples of Beowulf's skill and strength from the text.
Beowulf "oozes" skill. His bravery, his combat skills, and his strength are evident in the way that he walks, carries himself, talks, and dresses. A good example of this occurs when Beowulf is on...
Beowulf
Why Does Hrothgar Ask Beowulf To Battle Grendel's Mother
The death caused by Grendel’s mother was far too close and personal for Hrothgar. Grendel’s mother took Aeschere, a warrior and close confidant of the king. Grendel’s mother was on a mission to...
Beowulf
In what ways did Beowulf demonstrate courage?
The first way Beowulf demonstrates courage is to take the initiative to sail across the sea with his fighting men to confront the monster Grendel. Although his family does owe Hrothgar a debt from...
Beowulf
In Beowulf, describe the setting where the fight of Beowulf and Grendel's mother takes place.
Several key attributes define this location. First of all, it is far from human habitation. Second, it is on the monster's home ground. Remember that Grendel had intruded into where the men were...
Beowulf
In the epic Beowulf, why does Hrothgar decide to build the great hall?
Hrothgar, king of the Danes, built the mighty mead hall Herot for several reasons, both of which reflect the context in which the epic poem Beowulf was composed. Hrothgar wanted to build the hall...
Beowulf
What supernatural and resurrection elements are there in the epic story "Beowulf"? Anything that can be...
The character Beowulf in the epic has numerous characteristics that can place him in the supernatural realm. He often displays superhuman strength, which is shown by ripping off Grendel’s arm, and...
Beowulf
Why Does Grendel Attack The Danes
This question is surprisingly difficult to answer, for three reasons: Beowulf is an old tale, surviving in a lone manuscript, written after (presumably) a long life as an oral tradition, long...
Beowulf
In Beowulf, why does Grendel become angry with Hrothgar and the men in the hall?
Although Grendel attacks Hrothgar's mead-hall, Heorot, when he hears the laughter and celebrations of Hrothgar's men, the motive for Grendel's attack, and the origin of his hatred for men, is...
Beowulf
Where Does Grendel Live
In the first chapter of the story, it is established that Grendel lived close to the mead hall because he was able to hear the merrymaking activities in the hall. It was also stated that the...
Beowulf
What is a good example of comitatus in Beowulf?
The Latin word "comitatus" refers to a feudal relationship between a lord or king and a free warrior who fights for him. Comitatus is an important concept in Anglo-Saxon warrior culture and imposes...
Beowulf
What is Beowulf's attitude toward his possible death?
When he faces the dragon as an old and wise king, Beowulf knows that his death is very likely imminent. Take, for instance, the following quote from Seamus Heaney's translation of the poem: After...
Beowulf
Describe Beowulf's boasts upon meeting Hrothgar, king of the Danes.
When Beowulf enters Hrothgar's Herot, he wants to present himself as the warrior who is going to free the Danes from Grendel's terror. Never one to be timid, Beowulf touts his own accomplishments...
Beowulf
What is a lesson we can learn from reading about the battles and accomplishments of the characters in Beowulf?
Oral epics tended to function to pass on cultural traditions and values in societies lacking both literacy and widespread systems of schooling. Although a small number of monastic schools taught...
Beowulf
Who is Beowulf's father? I thought that Beowulf's father was Ecgtheow, but I got the answer wrong on my quiz, and it...
On arrival at the Danish sea shore, a warrior of the Danes asked Beowulf and his team to state their origin and purpose for visiting their lands. Beowulf responded by stating that they were from...
Beowulf
Who comes to Beowulf's aid in the final battle with the dragon? Why does he help Beowulf?
Beowulf has ruled as the King of the Geats for fifty years when a dragon starts to threaten the land as revenge for a slight against him (a desperate man has stolen a golden cup from the dragon's...
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