first 2 sections of beowulf Flashcards
depict contrast between Hrothgar’s kingdom and Grendel’s lair.
Hrothgars kingdom is presented as a beautiful perfect place while Grendels lair is represented as the moord and dirty, the worst.
Who is Hrothgar, and what is Herot?
Hrothgar is the king of the danes (the people) and herot is the Golden hall (like a community hall).
What is an allusion? What Biblical allusion is used, and what is the symbolic meaning?
An applied reference to text. Abel and cain which represent death and murder because that is what grendel is doing. It is refuring to the theme of good and evil.
What does Grendel do at night? How do these actions drive the plot and mood?
Murders the warriors which drives the plot and mood into a scared, eerie, anxiety inducing feeling.
Why do none of Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel? How long has Grendel’s reign of terror lasted?
Because they are afraid. His reign has lasted 12 years.
identify some words or phrases about Beowulf that depict the qualities of an epic hero, and identify those qualities.
Loyalty, bravery, leader, bravest of warriors, mighty
How did Beowulf hear about the monster Grendel?
Beowulf heard from higlacs follower.
Since monster’s don’t exist, what are some possibilities of what may have actually been happening in Hrothgar’s kingdom?
An evil dictator was killing off people
What is a mail shirt, and what does it symbolize? What was a smith?
Armored garment made of interlocking metal rings and symbolizes his strength and his ability to protect. Metalworkers who created the armor.
Beowulf states that he has come to kill Grendel. What proof does he offer to show he is up to the task?
He says all of his accomplishments.
What can you infer is Beowulf’s reasoning for not wanting to fight Grendel with a sword?
Lord Higlac might think less of him and wants to prove his strength.
Besides honor and prestige, why else is Beowulf willing to risk his life to help Hrothgar?
Hrothgar is his friend and is showing his loyalty. Hes doing it for the glory
How might the use of mail shirts changed/improved the design of swords?
make the swords stronger
What do you know, or what can you infer, about the importance of family, a son’s connection to his father, and the town/community a person came from in this time period?
loyalty was important because he wanted to help his fathers friends and the theme of beowulf is loyalty and kingship
