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beowulf test Flashcards

1
Q

Wiglaf

A

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

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2
Q

Wealhtheow

A

queen of Danes, wife of Hrothgar

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3
Q

Shield Sheafson

A

scourge of many tribes, storytellers would tell legends about him, Hrothgar’s great great grandfather

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4
Q

Hygelac

A

king of the Geats before Beowulf, Beowulfs uncle

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5
Q

Hrunting

A

Unferth’s sword that he gave to Beowulf to fight Grendels mother

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6
Q

Hrothgar

A

king of the danes, commonly called “son of half dane”

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7
Q

Heorot

A

the mead hall, land of the danes

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8
Q

Grendel

A

descendent of Cain, monster who terrorized Heorot for 12 years

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9
Q

Beowulf

A

Hygelac’s thane, superhero of this book who defeats Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon

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10
Q

Hygd

A

wife of Hygelac

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11
Q

Unferth

A

a dane who was jealous of Beowulf, mocked him for losing swim race against Brecca, gains respect for Beowulf after he kills Grendel

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12
Q

Wergild

A

the death price, paying damages to a group for the loss of a warrior (to stem violence)

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13
Q

Kenning

A

compound word in place of another, metaphor, usually hyphened

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14
Q

Epithet

A

another way to call someone (ex. Hrothgar, son of Halfdane)

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15
Q

Comitatus

A

showing respect, bond of loyalty between king and thanes, thanes and one another, thanes to the king

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16
Q

Formal Boast

A

simply a way for the thanes/warriors to prove they are up to task

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17
Q

Scop

A

storyteller/narrator

18
Q

Christian Elements/Pagan Elements

A

worshipping to stone gods, fate

19
Q

Simile

A

comparison of two things using like or as

20
Q

Metaphor

A

comparison of two things without using like or as

21
Q

Personification

A

giving non human things human like characteristics

22
Q

alliteration

A

repetition of consonant sounds

23
Q

caesura

A

space between words in the middle of each line, break, only on old english side

24
Q

what do caesura and alliteration do?

A

they are both structurally significant, and create rhythm to help storyteller to remember

25
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.
26
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.
27
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
28
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.
29
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.
30
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.
31
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.
32
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.
33
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
34
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
35
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
36
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.
37
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.
38
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?
39
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
40
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
41
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

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