First Semester Literature Exam

B: Where are Grendel and his mother found?

cave at the bottom of a lake

B: What word describes the reason Beowulf hangs the arm?

reparation

B: Why does Beowulf cut off Grendel's head?

revenge

B: "To open a path for his evil soul" means?

to kill him

B: In the event Beowulf should die in battle, what request does he make of Hrothgar?

to send the mail of his armor back to Higlac

B: Who kills the dragon?

Beowulf

B: Why can't the swords of Beowulf's thanes wound Grendel?

Grendel bewitched them

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in what time and period and by who?

Medieval; unknown "Pearl/Gawain Poet"

Beowulf: He is a warrior who aids Beowulf against the battle with the dragon. At this point, Beowulf is an old aging king. He no longer possesses the power he once had to fight Grendel and his mother. His relationship with Beowulf is parallel to Beowulf's relationship with King Hrothgar.

Wiglaf

SGATGK: What does the knight carry?

a bough of holly and an axe

B: Describe the home of Grendel.

a cave under bloody, steaming water, as murky as hell

B: Grendel is NOT

a dragon-shaped monster

SGATGK: What must Gawain do?

find the knight in a year and a day at the Green Chapel and submit to a blow like that received by the Green Knight

B: When Grendel realizes Beowulf's strength he tries to?

flee

B: What does Beowulf want his people to remember him for?

for all his leadership, and love of peace

SGATGK: Describe the knight.

gigantic and green from head to toe

B: Beowulf is driven by what when fighting Grendel's mom?

glory

B: What is the theme of Beowulf?

good triumphs in the end

B: How many thanes does Beowulf take with him?

14

B: What religion is the scop who tells the story? What religious advice does he offer?

Christian; need to pray for forgiveness, to turn to God

B: What is the setting of the first part of the epic?

Herot

B: What events angered the dragon and what are his actions against Beowulf's people?

a thief messed with his treasure so he terrorizes the Geates

B: What does Wiglaf make a speech about?

about the virtues of loyalty and bravery

SGATGK: What did the knight do when Gawain chopped his head off?

he did not falter or fall; rather he sprang up, grabbed his head and held it up for all to see; then he climbed back on his horse, still holding the head up

B: What preparations does Beowulf make for the battle against Grendel's mother?

he dives into the lake alone

B: What element of paganism is seen in Hrothgar's people?

made sacrifices to the old gods

SGATGK: How does Gawain make his speech?

out of extreme modesty

B: How does Beowulf die?

the dragon inflicts a mortal wound

B: How does Hrothgar know Beowulf's father?

they were friends

B: Why does Beowulf want to kill the dragon?

to be a noble leader and protect his people

B: Why does Beowulf journey to Herot?

to cleanse it by heroic deed

Who wrote Beowulf?

unknown

B: Beowulf's men are no help why?

weapons are useless

B: How does Beowulf learn of the Danes' problem?

word spread from warriors who have escaped

Beowulf was written during what time period?

Anglo- Saxon period

Beowulf: "the hero of all heroes," He is strong and courageous, is the prince of the Geats. Once he makes a vow, he stands by his word, no matter what the cost, even if it takes his life. He is reluctant to back down from battle, just so he can be there for the people who are in great need to be saved from evil. He signifies the true heroic character because he is willing to risk his life for his ideals. He defeats three gruesome monsters, two of whom are descendants of Cain.

Beowulf

the medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code (Ex: Sir Gawain)

Chivalry

SGATGK: Arthur's nephew and one of is most loyal knights. Although he modestly disclaims it, he has the reputation of beng a great knight and courtly lover. He prides himself on his observance of the five points of chivalry in every aspect of his life. He is a pinnacle of humility, piety, integrity, loyalty and honesty. His only flaw proves to be that he loves his life so much that he will lie in order to protect himself. He leaves the Green Chapel penitent and changed.

Gawain

B: Beowulf comes to Herot from?

Geatland

B: What does the poet give credit to Beowulf's victory over Grendel's mom?

God's judgement

Beowulf: He is a monster that is half-man and half-fiend. He is the first monster that Beowulf kills. Also, he is enormous and possesses superhuman strength, which makes him undefeatable by the warriors of Denmark. He lives in the bottom of the lake not far from Herot. He is the descendant of Cain who represents evil and corruption. He has been attacking Herot, where Denmark's warriors live, for twelve years, causing suffering and misery.

Grendel

B: Describe Grendel's attack on Herot. How long have the attacks gone on as the story opens? What time of day does Grendel appear? What does he symbolize?

Grendel attacks at night. He snatches 30 men, bashes them and takes their bodies to his lair. Grendel symbolizes evil.

B: What is brought back to Herot after the death of Grendel's mother?

Grendel's head

Beowulf: She is another monster that Beowulf kills. She is virtually undefeatable by any human. She is a descendant of Cain. She kills Aeschere as revenge for her son's death. She finally dies in an underwater battle with the hero, Beowulf.

Grendel's mother

B: Why does Grendel kill? Why does his mother kill?

Grendel- desire to kill, mother- revenge

Beowulf: he is the king of Danes. He has a great deal of compassion for his warriors and his people. This man is not afraid to hide his emotions. This is important because at the time, according to the warrior code, a man was not to show his feelings publicly. He builds a mead-hall and names it Herot for his warriors to celebrate success. He is a wise and admirable king to his people, but lacks strength to physically combat his people's enemies, as he is a aging King.

Hrothgar

B: What part of Herot does Grendel avoid and why?

Hrothgar's throne because it is protected by God

B: hat is the swords name that Beowulf uses to kill Grendel's mother?

Hrunthing

SGATGK: the king of Camelot. He is young and beardless, and his court is in its golden age. He refuses to eat until he hears a fantastic tale. This shows his youth, along with his stunned response to the Green Knight's challenge. However, like a good king, he steps forward to the challenge. At the end of the story, he joins his nephew in wearing a green girdle on his arm, showing that Gawain's trial had taught him his own fallibility.

King Arthur

SGATGK: a mysterious visitor to Camelot. His huge stature, wild appearance, and green complexion set him apart from the beardless knights and beautiful ladies of Arthur's Camelot. He is an ambiguous figure: he says that he comes in friendship, not wanting to fight, but the friendly game he proposes is quite deadly. He attaches great importance to verbal contracts, expecting Sir Gawain to go great lengths to hold up his end of their bargain. He shows himself to be a supernatural being when he picks up his own severed head and ride out of Arthur's court, still speaking. At the same time, he seems to symbolize the natural world, in that he is killed and reborn as part of a cycle.

The Green Knight

SGATGK: What is the New Year's feast interrupted by?

a knight on horseback

B: Beowulf's superiority is apparent to?

all who came in contact with him

What is the quote, "Herot trembled, wonderfully built to withstand the blows, the struggling great bodies beating as its beautiful walls.." from Beowulf an example of?

alliteration

stylistic literary device; identified by the repeated sound of the first consonant in a series of multiple words

alliteration

B: What is not a motive of Grendel?

ambition to rule the Danes

B: Why did Beowulf decide to fight Grendel unarmed?

because he thinks it will be impossible to kill Grendel with a man made weapon

a set of rules or ethical principles governing an academic community bases on ideals that define what constitutes honorable behavior within that community

code of honor

a highly conventionalized medieval tradition of love between knight and a married noblewoman, first developed by the troubadours of Southern France and extensively employed in European literature of the time. The love of the knight for his lady was regarded as an ennobling passion and the relationship was typically unconsummated.

courtly love

B: What credentials does Beowulf present to Hrothgar?

cousin to the king, has killed 5 giants, hunted and killed monsters, gone to war and fought and returned

B: How was Grendel created, and where is he required to live?

created by monsters descended from Cain ;in a hell on earth; swamp; lair

B: What familiar story is told by the speaker in the first 12 lines of the poem?

creation myth (genesis)

a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation

epic

the main character in an epic poem--typically one who embodies the values of his or her culture

epic hero

B: What is the universal theme for this poem?

good vs. evil

B: Beowulf uses what to kill Grendel?

hands

B: After Beowulf dies, what happens to his body?

he is burned and placed in a coffin on a cliff overlooking the sea

B: Why does Unferth taunt Beowulf?

he is jealous of Beowulf's fame and boldness

B: How can you tell Beowulf is a legendary hero?

he is larger than life and is remembered in tales long ago

SGATGK: What does Gawain say about himself?

he is the least brave and least intelligent of the company and that the only worthy thing about him is that he is of Arthur's blood

B: What weapon does Beowulf plan to use against the dragon? How is this different from previous battles?

he plans to use his sword, when in the past he uses his bare hands

B: What measures did Hrothgar and his men use in their attempt to attack Grendel?

he tried to pay Grendel to stay away; secret meetings; made sacrafices to the old gods

B: Why can't Grendel be injured?

his body is protected by magic

B: How does Wiglaf tend to Beowulf as he dies?

holds him and sprinkles water on his wounds

B: What is not an example of a hero?

humility and reserve

B: Why does Wiglaf want to help fight the dragon?

in the past they had promised to repay Beowuf's kindness with their lives

mail- shirt meaning armor is an example of what in Beowulf

kenning

a compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning

kennings

B: Before Beowulf, how did the people survive from Grendel?

leave the hall before nightfall

SGATGK: What does the text say about the color green?

magic color

B: What does it mean when Beowulf gives Wiglaf the necklace?

making Wiglaf ruler of Geatland

B: Why does Herot stay neglected?

men would not stay the night there

B: How does Herot hall hold up in the battle? What could destroy it?

nothing can destroy it

B: Why does Beowulf want a tower?

remind people of famous deeds and life

B: Why does Grendel's mother appear?

revenge for the death of her son

B: How long does it take Beowulf to reach the bottom of the lake?

several hours

B: What does Grendel's mother take after her attack at Herot Hall?

she took one man

SGATGK: What does the knight suggest?

that one of the knights deal him a blow with an axe that he will return the favor, dealing the knight an equal blow, in a year and a day

B: What happens to all of Beowulf's men when they go to fight the dragon?

they all flee to save their live, except one, Wiglaf

B: As a result from Grendel's attacks on Herot what did the thanes do?

they no longer slept in mead-hall

B: Why does Beowulf allow Grendel to devour one of his best men in the night's attack?

to see how Grendel fought

B: How is Grendel's mother killed? What happens to Grendel?

Beowulf cuts her head off. Finds Grendel's body and cuts his head off and take it with him.

Characteristics of an epic

1. Characters are beings of national importance and historical or legendary significance 2. the setting is grand in scope, covering nations, the world, or even the universe 3. action consists of deeds of great valor and courage 4. style is sustained in tone and language 5. supernatural forces interest themselves in human action and often intervene directly

Examples of Christianity in Beowulf

1. description of lake reflects the 7 layers of hell 2. Beowulf continues to thank God 3. going into the lake and returning symbolizes the resurrection of innocent souls 4. credit is always given to God 5. Beowulf gives up hi life, like Christ, to save others 6. Last Rites 7. Cain/Abel 8. Father in Heaven

Characteristics of an epic hero

1. noble birth 2. capable of deeds of great strength and courage 3. great warrior 4. travels over a vast setting 5. national heroism 6. humility 7. faces supernatural foes and/or receives supernatural help

SGATGK: What are the themes?

1. temptation 2. hunting and seduction 3. nature and chivalry 4. games 5. times and seasons

Examples of Paganism in Beowulf

1. the replacement of Wiglaf of Beowulf; to fulfill the last request of the person dying 2. importance of the sword; sword has a name 3. best way to die is in battle 4. avenge- Beowulf had to kill Grendel's mother because she killed a man 5.taking the monster's head 6. pagan jewels 7. funeral ritual 8. leaders are elevated

B: Describe the fight against Grendel's mom.

Beowulf's sword did not work and he ended up using the sword of a giant who had magical powers in order to cut her head off

SGATGK: the sturdy, good-natured lord of the castle where Gawain spends Christmas. He is associated with the natural world, but also with the courtly behavior of an aristocratic host. Boisterous, powerful, brave, and generous, he provides and interesting foil to King Arthur. He is the Green Knight, magically enchanted by Morgan le Faye/

Bertilak

SGATGK: she attempts to seduce Gawain on a daily basis during his stay at the castle. The poem represents her as a beautiful young woman, but she is surprisingly a clever debater and a reader of Gawain's responses as she argues her way through three seductions

Bertilak's wife

SGATGK: what is the setting?

Time- the mythical past of King Arthur's court (sometime after Rome's fall, but before recorded history) Place- Camelot; the wilderness, Bertilak's castle, Green Chapel