Final

Question 1

the poetic device in Old English poetry which divides each line in the center into two half lines

Answer 1

caesura

Question 2

the den or dwelling of a wild animal

Answer 2

lair

Question 3

Hrothgar’s wife and queen

Answer 3

Wealhtheow

Question 4

an adjective or brief phrase used to characterize a person, place, or thing, summarizing its most essential quality

Answer 4

epithet

Question 5

a large waterfall

Answer 5

caract

Question 6

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

Answer 6

epic

Question 7

the repetition of similar vowel sounds within successive words

Answer 7

assonance

Question 8

one of the eleven warriors with whom Beowulf chooses to fight the dragon, and the only one who stays loyal and courageous

Answer 8

Wiglaf

Question 9

a tract of open, uncultivated land

Answer 9

moor

Question 10

the principle poetic device in Beowulf and much Old English poetry - the repetition of stressed sounds at the beginning of successive words

Answer 10

alliterative verse

Question 11

an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, thing, written work, or work of art

Answer 11

allusion

Question 12

Scandinavian people of southern Sweden

Answer 12

Geats

Question 13

a beautiful Danish sword that Hrothgar gives Beowulf to fight Grendel’s mother

Answer 13

Hrunting

Question 14

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

Answer 14

kenning

Question 15

the palace of King Hrothgar and the mead hall for the warrior Danes

Answer 15

Heorot

Question 16

the first epic poem in the English language; one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature

Answer 16

Beowulf

Question 17

a pile of wood or combustible material on which a corpse is burned as part of a funeral ceremony

Answer 17

pyre

Question 18

a low and marshy area of land

Answer 18

fen

Question 19

a steep or rugged cliff

Answer 19

crag

Question 20

Beowulf’s father

Answer 20

Hygelac

Question 21

split or divided in two

Answer 21

cloven

Question 22

never failing; certain

Answer 22

infallible

Question 23

a medieval trumpet; or the sound made by such an instrument

Answer 23

clarion

Question 24

heavy; cumbersome

Answer 24

cumbrous

Question 25

awakened; stirred up

Answer 25

roused

Question 26

waving or flourishing (a weapon)

Answer 26

brandishing

Question 27

uninvited

Answer 27

unbidden

Question 28

to be of use; to help

Answer 28

avail

Question 29

a sharp drop down

Answer 29

plummet

Question 30

to cause to separate into lumps and curds

Answer 30

curdling

Question 31

stringy, tough

Answer 31

sinewy

Question 32

cause confusion or surprise

Answer 32

confound

Question 33

to utter or express

Answer 33

bade

Question 34

broken into fragments

Answer 34

shivered

Question 35

made loud, discordant sounds

Answer 35

dinned

Question 36

not quenched; not satisfied

Answer 36

unslaked

Question 37

careless

Answer 37

heedless

Question 38

agonizing physical or mental pain

Answer 38

anguish

Question 39

surrounded; encircled

Answer 39

wreathed

Question 40

greedy; wanting something that belongs to another

Answer 40

covetous

Question 41

When was Beowulf most likely compared

Answer 41

eighth century

Question 42

Though it is an Anglo-Saxon poem, the subject matter of Beowulf is:

Answer 42

Scandinavian and Germanic

Question 43

The action of Beowulf takes place in which century?

Answer 43

sixth century

Question 44

Grendel and his mother descend from whom?

Answer 44

Cain

Question 45

How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?

Answer 45

He tears off his arm with his bare hands.

Question 46

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?

Answer 46

Grendel is a distorted and ugly version of a man.

Question 47

What did Wealhtheow the Queen bring Beowulf and his men during the welcom banquet?

Answer 47

a glowing mead cup

Question 48

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 ___.

Answer 48

governance

Question 49

What is Hrothgar's view on the origin of grief, which he expresses the morning after the attack by the she-monster?

Answer 49

Grief is heaven's decree

Question 50

When the she-monster draws her knife and attempts to slay Beowulf, he survives for two reasons. What are they?

Answer 50

his mailcoat and God's wisdom

Question 51

"Together they quenced the fire, together beat out his loathsome life."

Answer 51

anaphora

Question 52

Whom does the minstrel sing of during the celebration this time?

Answer 52

Beowulf

Question 53

What is Beowulf's understanding of Fate that he reveals before jumping in the lake to fight Grendel's mother?

Answer 53

Fate's ways are secret and final.

Question 54

How long did Beowulf rule in Geatland?

Answer 54

50 years

Question 55

"Breathing out ruin, snorting huricane" is an example of

Answer 55

metaphor

Question 56

"All in its path, he bore down on the pygmy king." This line contains:

Answer 56

hyperbole

Question 57

"Shame upon you! Do your coward hearts knock at your ribs so loud you cannot hear me?" Who has the coward hearts?

Answer 57

the ten warriors

Question 58

"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:

Answer 58

exchange

Question 59

"'Better a man should die Than live in a coward's life.' They answered not a word, But shambled away - "

Answer 59

It reinforces and reveals the truth of Wiglaf's statement

Question 60

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 ..."

Answer 60

mightiest in valour, the mildest, the most kind to his people, and the keenest for praise

Question 61

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.'

Answer 61

Hrothgar

Question 62

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?'

Answer 62

Beowulf

Question 63

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 ...

Answer 63

the dragon

Question 64

He commanded an iron shield to be made, For well he knew that linden wood must warp And shrivel in heat.

Answer 64

Beowulf

Question 65

Then ___, as love for his lord Flashed into rage, unshielded sprang at the beast, Into that fiery furnace he thrust his sword ...

Answer 65

Wiglaf