beowulf test Flashcards
Wiglaf
last of the waegmundings, son of Weohstan, only warrior to come to Beowulf’s aid in the battle with the dragon, brings treasure to Beowulf when he’s dying
Wealhtheow
queen of Danes, wife of Hrothgar
Shield Sheafson
scourge of many tribes, storytellers would tell legends about him, Hrothgar’s great great grandfather
Hygelac
king of the Geats before Beowulf, Beowulfs uncle
Hrunting
Unferth’s sword that he gave to Beowulf to fight Grendels mother
Hrothgar
king of the danes, commonly called “son of half dane”
Heorot
the mead hall, land of the danes
Grendel
descendent of Cain, monster who terrorized Heorot for 12 years
Beowulf
Hygelac’s thane, superhero of this book who defeats Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon
Hygd
wife of Hygelac
Unferth
a dane who was jealous of Beowulf, mocked him for losing swim race against Brecca, gains respect for Beowulf after he kills Grendel
Wergild
the death price, paying damages to a group for the loss of a warrior (to stem violence)
Kenning
compound word in place of another, metaphor, usually hyphened
Epithet
another way to call someone (ex. Hrothgar, son of Halfdane)
Comitatus
showing respect, bond of loyalty between king and thanes, thanes and one another, thanes to the king
Formal Boast
simply a way for the thanes/warriors to prove they are up to task
Scop
storyteller/narrator
Christian Elements/Pagan Elements
worshipping to stone gods, fate
Simile
comparison of two things using like or as
Metaphor
comparison of two things without using like or as
Personification
giving non human things human like characteristics
alliteration
repetition of consonant sounds
caesura
space between words in the middle of each line, break, only on old english side
what do caesura and alliteration do?
they are both structurally significant, and create rhythm to help storyteller to remember
Why do you think Hrothgar does not inform Beowulf of their sightings of a second monster (Grendel’s mother) before Beowulf fights Grendel?
Hrothar does not inform Beowulf of their sightings of a second monster before Beowulf fights Grendel because he thinks that it is irrelevant.
How does Hrothgar urge Beowulf to take action against Grendel’s mother? Observe the words he uses
Hrothgar believed that Beowulf was the only man who could be capable of dealing with Grendel’s mother.
What does Grendel’s mother’s desire for revenge reveal about Anglo-Saxon culture?
Grendel’s mother’s desire for revenge reveals that the Anglo Saxon culture takes revenge more seriously than life
Why do you think Grendel’s mother would kill Hrothgar’s closest friend for vengeance instead of Beowulf?
I think that Grendel’s mother killed Hrothgar’s closest friend instead of Beowulf because she wanted to fight Beowulf herself.
Why doesn’t this sword prove useful
against Grendel’s mother?
The sword doesn’t prove useful against Grendel’s mother because it wasn’t made for battling supernatural beings.
How is Beowulf able to kill Grendel’s mother? What is ironic about this victory?
Beowulf finds a sword in her lair and uses it to behead her. This is ironic because Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother with her own sword.
What does he bring back to give to Hrothgar? Why?
He brings back Grendel’s head and the hilt of the giant sword to prove to Hrothgar that Grendel is gone for good.
How does the dragon terrorize the Geats? Why does the dragon attack the Geats?
The dragon terrorize the geats by burning the villages and Beowulf’s house because a man had buried the treasure and the dragon was guarding it, the slave manages to find his way to the treasure and steals a goblet. The slave goes back to his master and the master takes a bunch of men and they raid the treasure making the dragon mad.
List and explain evidence that suggests Beowulf’s decision to fight the dragon is, perhaps, foolish.
Beowulf’s decision to fight the dragon is foolish because he has too much pride and wants to fight the dragon himself, he is much older now meaning he’s not as strong anymore, he has a sense that he’s going to die but he still decided to fight
Why does Beowulf feel that he must justify his use of armor during the battle with the dragon? What might Beowulf’s sword and shield symbolize?
He justifies his armor against the dragon because he usually never uses armour in his battles and the dragon was also going to be too hot. The shield and sword symbolize his older age and a sign of his declining health because he always relied on his own strength and protection but now he cant fight without weapons
Describe Beowulf’s fight with the dragon. Where does he begin to lose the battle? What does the poet blame for Beowulf’s turn of fortune?
Beowulf tries to attack with his sword but the sword doesn’t work. Beowulf tries to use his sword to attack the dragon but the dragon’s skin is too thick/hard and breaks. Wiglaf comes in and tries to help. He stabs the dragon in the dragon’s belly, weakening the dragon flames and Beowulf uses his dagger to finally stab the dragon, killing him. The poet blames beowulf’s turn of fortune on his pride
What does he want his last sight to be as he dies? Why? What does this suggest about Anglo-Saxon culture?
Beowulf wants his last sight as he dies to be the treasure he bought (sacrificed) with his life for his people. He tells Wiglaf to get the treasure. This suggests (about Anglo Saxon culture) that they are very unselfish and the king was to provide for his people, and even to Beowulf’s death he does that.
What are Beowulf’s final wishes? Why can he “leave his life happy”?
Beowulf’s final wish is to have this monument (serving as a memorial for him) containing these pillars overlooking the cliff by the water so people in the future could pass by and see it and everyone can tell the story of his accomplishments. He can leave his life happy knowing that he’s done everything for his people, protecting and fighting for others. He has glory for his name, family name, and people. Dragon will also no longer harm his people. He left life with a good reputation.
Summarize what Wiglaf says to the soldiers who fled when the dragon attacked.
Wiglaf tells the soldiers who fled when the dragon attacked that they are cowards and the armour they are standing in was given by Beowulf and when Beowulf needed them they were too much of a coward to help. Their cowardness not only prevented Beowulf from living but also he says that when other countries find out they might try to harm them because what is there to lose?
List five details about Beowulf’s funeral.
They created a barrow with a wall around it
Beowulf is buried with his treasure
12 horsemen go around in circles singing songs about Beowulf’s greatness
They created a fire
A great woman predicts what is to come in the future
How is Beowulf described in the last lines of the poem?
Beowulf is described in the last lines of the poem as the most gracious and the most fair minded the kindest to his people and keenest to win fame
What is the theme of the epic poem
The theme of the epic poem is the way Beowulf lived his life and how others should perform/live. The only flaw he had was too much pride and how he never allowed anyone to help him in battle. A great leader never goes unknown and the actions never go unknown
