Final Flashcards
the poetic device in Old English poetry which divides each line in the center into two half lines
caesura
the den or dwelling of a wild animal
lair
Hrothgar’s wife and queen
Wealhtheow
an adjective or brief phrase used to characterize a person, place, or thing, summarizing its most essential quality
epithet
a large waterfall
caract
a long narrative poem in an elevated style that celebrates the deeds of a hero and treats themes of historical , national, religious, or legendary significance
epic
the repetition of similar vowel sounds within successive words
assonance
one of the eleven warriors with whom Beowulf chooses to fight the dragon, and the only one who stays loyal and courageous
Wiglaf
a tract of open, uncultivated land
moor
the principle poetic device in Beowulf and much Old English poetry - the repetition of stressed sounds at the beginning of successive words
alliterative verse
an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, thing, written work, or work of art
allusion
Scandinavian people of southern Sweden
Geats
a beautiful Danish sword that Hrothgar gives Beowulf to fight Grendel’s mother
Hrunting
a popular literary device in Old English poetry - a metaphoric compound word or phrase that takes the place of a noun, such as “whale-road” for sea and “swan-boat” for ship
kenning
the palace of King Hrothgar and the mead hall for the warrior Danes
Heorot
the first epic poem in the English language; one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature
Beowulf
a pile of wood or combustible material on which a corpse is burned as part of a funeral ceremony
pyre
a low and marshy area of land
fen
a steep or rugged cliff
crag
Beowulf’s father
Hygelac
split or divided in two
cloven
never failing; certain
infallible
a medieval trumpet; or the sound made by such an instrument
clarion
heavy; cumbersome
cumbrous
awakened; stirred up
roused
waving or flourishing (a weapon)
brandishing
uninvited
unbidden
to be of use; to help
avail
a sharp drop down
plummet
to cause to separate into lumps and curds
curdling
stringy, tough
sinewy
cause confusion or surprise
confound
to utter or express
bade
broken into fragments
shivered
made loud, discordant sounds
dinned
not quenched; not satisfied
unslaked
careless
heedless
agonizing physical or mental pain
anguish
surrounded; encircled
wreathed
greedy; wanting something that belongs to another
covetous
When was Beowulf most likely compared
eighth century
Though it is an Anglo-Saxon poem, the subject matter of Beowulf is:
Scandinavian and Germanic
The action of Beowulf takes place in which century?
sixth century
Grendel and his mother descend from whom?
Cain
How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?
He tears off his arm with his bare hands.
The text also mentions a psychological reason that Grendel might hate the men of Heorot so much. Can you identify the line that revels this?
Grendel is a distorted and ugly version of a man.
What did Wealhtheow the Queen bring Beowulf and his men during the welcom banquet?
a glowing mead cup
When the Danes flock to Heorot to behold the grisly trophy, Grendel’s arm, they praise Beowulf and declare an important connection between his might and his ___.
governance
What is Hrothgar’s view on the origin of grief, which he expresses the morning after the attack by the she-monster?
Grief is heaven’s decree
When the she-monster draws her knife and attempts to slay Beowulf, he survives for two reasons. What are they?
his mailcoat and God’s wisdom
“Together they quenced the fire, together beat out his loathsome life.”
anaphora
Whom does the minstrel sing of during the celebration this time?
Beowulf
What is Beowulf’s understanding of Fate that he reveals before jumping in the lake to fight Grendel’s mother?
Fate’s ways are secret and final.
How long did Beowulf rule in Geatland?
50 years
“Breathing out ruin, snorting huricane” is an example of
metaphor
“All in its path, he bore down on the pygmy king.” This line contains:
hyperbole
“Shame upon you!
Do your coward hearts knock at your ribs so loud
you cannot hear me?”
Who has the coward hearts?
the ten warriors
“Fierce love for his lord
Flashed into rage, his words lashed like a whip:
‘Fine requital, this, for his gifts in the mead hall!
To think he called you brave, the flower of warriors!
That you swore to protect him - what mockery
that was!”
This passage reveals the important Anglo-Saxon cultural principal of:
exchange
“‘Better a man should die
Than live in a coward’s life.’
They answered not a word,
But shambled away - “
It reinforces and reveals the truth of Wiglaf’s statement
What important things were said in honor of Beowulf in the closing lines of the poem?
“Of all the kings in the world
Beowulf they named the …”
mightiest in valour, the mildest, the most kind to his people, and the keenest for praise
Then ___, marking
The warrior’s blazing eyes, and hasty hand
Fingering his sword-hilt, with mild words melted his anger.
‘Noble Beowulf, pay no heed to Unferth,
An envious, wayward man, unworthy of note.
Right gladly I grant your wishes - but first, one word
Of warning. That sword you spoke of - it will avail
Nothing with Grendel, whose life is proof against
All weapons whatsoever, wrought by man.’
Hrothgar
Then in a loud voice
___ cried, ‘Where is Grendel’s mother?
Ho there, she-devel, were-wolf of the lake,
Quit your hiding!’ He raised his battle-horn
And pressed it to his lips…
Again he cried, ‘Coward, do you shrink from battle?
Must I plunge in the mere and seek you out myself?’
Beowulf
Tricked of his treasure, angrily he prowled
Over the headland, sniffing the ground, devouring
The track of his enemy - but none could he find.
At nightfall,
When the daystar was darkened, the candle of the world snuffed out,
Revengeful, riotous with rage, he went forth …
the dragon
He commanded an iron shield to be made,
For well he knew that linden wood must warp
And shrivel in heat.
Beowulf
Then ___, as love for his lord
Flashed into rage, unshielded sprang at the beast,
Into that fiery furnace he thrust his sword …
Wiglaf
