Beowulf 3-165
For how long does Grendel attack the mead-hall?
12 years
How many men does Beowulf take with him to Denmark?
14
What does Hygelac give to Beowulf?
210,000 acres of land (7,000 hides), a hall, a throne, a gem studded sword
How many men does Grendel grab the first night he attacks the mead-hall?
30 men
How many men does it take to carry Grendel's head?
4
How many years did Hrothgar reign over the Danes?
50 (just like Beowulf will reign over the Geats)
Who does Grendel kill?
A Geat warrior named Handscio
What does Unferth represent?
A failed warrior. He does not contain the necessary courage to be considered truly honorable among the warriors. He sits below the king. Beowulf gets to sit on the bench with the Danes.
What does Hygelac's wife give to Beowulf?
A fancy necklace
What is a gold-giver?
A king
What is a ring-giver?
A king
What strange item of "clothing" does Grendel wear?
A pouch made of dragon skins that he uses to stuff men in.
What is a sea-shawl?
A sail
What does Beowulf give to the coastguard? Why is this significant?
A sword. It makes him more respected at the mead bench.
What is a death-price?
A wergild
Who does Grendel's mother kill?
Aeschere, the right hand man of Hrothgar and his best adviser
What is "a cub in the yard, a comfort sent" an example of?
Alliteration
What is "the path to power among people everywhere" an example of?
Alliteration
What does Hrothgar build?
An awesome mead-hall that he called Heorot (which means hart, a deer, because it has a pointy roof like deer's antlers).
What does Hrogthgar build?
An awesome mead-hall that he called Heorot (which means hart, a deer, because it has pointy roof like deer's antlers).
What gifts does Beowulf receive?
An embroidered banner, breast-mail, a helmet, a sword, 8 horses with sumptuous saddles, a torque, 2 arm bangles, a mail-shirt and rings
What gifts does Beowulf receive?
An embroidered banner, breast-mail, a helmet, a sword, 8 horses, a torque, 2 arm bangles, a mail-shirt and rings
Where does Unferth sit near the king?
At his feet, which shows he is low in status or not as respected.
Where does Beowulf travel to?
Denmark or Daneland
What does Hrothgar "give" to Beowulf and why is this significant?
He allows him to have the mead-hall. Hrothgar and his men leave it up to him. He has faith in Beowulf--he believes in him.
How does Beowulf drop the mic?
He gives a speech that puts Unferth in his place: You killed your own kith and kin, so for all your cleverness and quick tongue, you will suffer damnation in the depths of hell. The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly as keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such unchecked atrocity, attacks on our king, havoc in Heorot and horrors everywhere.
What does the coast guard recognize about Beowulf?
He has never "seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth" and thinks Beowulf is "one who is truly noble" and "no mere hanger-on."
What is Beowulf's fatal flaw?
He has too much pride to bring together an army to fight the dragon.
What qualities does Hrothgar say that Beowulf possesses?
He is born to distraction, even-tempered, resolute, and prudent.
Why does Grendel attack the mead-hall?
He is jealous that he is left out. He represents the alienated or the "other"--an outsider.
How is Beowulf Christ-like?
He is the messiah who is there to save the people from evil. He is called the "prince of goodness" and will risk his life to save others. Also, he keeps praising God and puts all of his faith in God.
What does Unferth do that is really bad?
He killed someone from his own tribe or family (known as fratricide) which is one of the worst things that you can do.
How does Grendel approach Heorot?
He rips off the door.
What does Beowulf say about Hrunting?
He said that he didn't use it in battle (humble man). He found the sword on the wall and used that one.
How does Beowulf demonstrate tenacity?
He says he will perform to the best of his abilities and die trying.
How does Unferth try to make Beowulf look bad?
He says that Breca beat him in a swimming competition.
What does Hygelac say to Beowulf when he returns?
He says that he "dreaded the outcome of [his] expedition and pleaded with [him]...to leave the killer be" (137).
How does Beowulf prove Unferth wrong?
He tells him that when Breca hurried to shore, he killed 9 sea beasts making the ocean safe for all sailors.
Why does Beowulf travel to Denmark?
He wants to help Hrothgar defeat Grendel. He wants to gain more fame and glory in do so. Also, Hrothgar helped Beowulf's father (Ecgtheow) and Beowulf is paying back Hrothgar in a sense.
What king is Beowulf compared to that was not good to his people?
Heremod
Who is the evil Danish king that fought tribes he should not have fought?
Heremod
What is the trophy after the battle with Grendel?
His entire arm, including his shoulder, that is displayed high near the ceiling.
What happens to Hrunting and was is this significant?
His sword does not work against Grendel's mother--it is an effective "runt."
What happens to Hrunting and why is this significant?
His sword does not work against Grendel's mother--it is an effective "runt."
Who is called a "peerless [unequaled, unrivaled, matchless] king"?
Hrothgar
Who is the "homeland guardian" and warlord"?
Hrothgar
Who is the "protector of the Shieldings"?
Hrothgar
Who is the treasure-giver?
Hrothgar
Who says and to whom: "You are strong in body and mature in mind, impressive in speech"?
Hrothgar to Beowulf
Who says this and to whom: "I adopt you in my heart as a dear son"?
Hrothgar to Beowulf
Who has "wintered into wisdom" and what does this mean?
Hrothgar--age has brought him wisdom
Who is the leader of the Geats?
Hygelac
How does Hygelac die?
In a battle with the Frisians (later on) and he is wearing the torque that Beowulf received from Hrothgar and gave him.
What happens to the magical sword?
It "wilts into gory icicles...and melts as ice melts" because the blood from Grendel's mom melts it (1606).
How is Grendel's head presented to Hrothgar and the men?
It is hauled by the hair and dragged across the mead-hall floor while everyone is drinking and talking.
What evil queen is Hygd compared to? Why?
Modthryth. The narrator is exhibiting how women need to be married in order to be kind and tamed.
Who is Wealtheow?
She is the wife of Hrothgar and queen. She gives the men mead.
How does Grendel's mother taunt the men?
She leaves Aeschere's head at the foot of the cliff of the mere/swamp
Who was the first Danish leader?
Shield Sheafson or Shielding
Who is shocked by Beowulf's arrival in Denmark and why?
The coast guard because they boldly land and disembark in full armor and weapons ready to fight Grendel.
Who is the guardian of the hoard?
The dragon (in the story about Sigemund).
What is on the magical sword hilt?
The history of man--when war first came into the world (Cain and Abel--1st murder) and the Flood (God punished his people with a flood because they were disobeying him).
What does Beowulf say saved him from Grendel's mother?
God. He says that if God had not helped him, he would not have survived.
What is a corpse-maker?
Grendel
Who is a "powerful demon," "prowler in the dark," "fiend out of hell," "shadow stalker" and one who the "Almighty made him anathema (a hated or detested thing)"?
Grendel
What does Beowulf carry back from Grendel's mother's cave? Why is this significant?
Grendel's head and the hilt of the magical sword. He chooses NOT to carry any of the treasure that he finds down there.
After the death of Grendel, who doesn't say much?
Unferth
Who is jealous of Beowulf?
Unferth
What does Beowulf give to Hygelac?
a helmet, mail shirt, war-sword, 4 horses, a torque
What wakes the dragon?
a runaway slave steals a goblet from the dragon out of fear and runs away with it
What precious things does the dragon destroy?
his own home and thorne-room
What does Hrothgar say he will give to Beowulf if he helps?
rich treasure and anything he desires
What is a sky-plague or hoard-watcher?
the dragon
How is the mere/swamp/fen described?
the water burns, deer would rather be attacked by dogs than encounter the mere, wild things are around it--serpents, sea-dragons, reptiles, monsters
What is a kenning for mouth or speech?
word-hoard
What is Hrothgar's most important message or warning to Beowulf?
"Do not give way to pride."
What line indicates that no blame should be out on Hrothgar?
"He was a good king" (862).
Men need to demonstrate comitatus. What is that?
"it was in ancient times and the Latin term for an armed escort or retinue. The term was used especially in the context of Germanic warrior culture, for a warband tied to a leader by an oath of loyalty to the leader." It meant that men would exhibit loyalty.
According to the poet, why are the Danes unable to defeat Grendel?
They pray to heathen/pagan gods and not the "right" god.
What do the people do after Grendel's death?
They restore the hall.
What do Hrothgar's men think has happened to Beowulf?
They see blood coming up and think he is dead.
What is the women's purpose?
They serve the men and also act as peace-weavers between tribes. They can be traded to prevent ill- will or even war.
What did Hrothgar's men promise to him?
They would drink and promise loyalty but then become too scared to battle Grendel.
What is the main objective of women?
To be peace-weavers
What does Hrothgar give to Beowulf due to the death of his warrior?
Treasure/Money
What does Beowulf predict will happen as a result of Hrothgar's daughter's marriage?
Freawaru will marry Ingeld, someone from an enemy tribe, and during the wedding festivities, the two tribes will get together and fighting will resume.
After Beowulf and his men meet the coast guard, who else do they meet?
Wulfgar, one of Hrothgar's advisors.
After Shield, who are the kings of Denmark?
Beow, Halfdane, and then Hrothgar
Who is "the man who is known for courage"?
Beowulf
Who is Hygelac's thane?
Beowulf
Who is one of the "mightiest men on earth"?
Beowulf
Who is the "flower of manhood"?
Beowulf
Who is the "flower of warriors"?
Beowulf
Where is Beowulf from?
Beowulf is from Sweden or Geatland
What shocks Grendel?
Beowulf's strength--he has the strength of 30 men in each hand.
This culture is known to do something that is the opposite of humility. What is it?
Boast. They need to boast about what they can do and then actually do it. The key is that they actually have to do what they brag about.
Who is Grendel related to?
Cain, and Cain killed his brother Abel which is BAAAAD. It is known as the first murder.
What is cloud-murk?
Fog
Besides too much pride, what is another warning that Hrothgar give to Beowulf?
Do not be complacent. He was complacent and never thought evil would come to him, but Grendel and Grendel's mother did attack.
How did Hrothgar help Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow?
Ecgtheow killed Heathalof, a member of the Wulfing tribe. Beowulf could not pay the wergild, so his people sent him away. He landed on Denmark and Hroghtgar said he would help Beowulf and pay back the Wulfings (wergild).
How did Hrothgar help Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow?
Ecgtheow killed Heathalof, a member of the Wulfing tribe. Beowulf could not pay the wergild, so his people sent him away. He landed on Denmark and Hrothgar said he would help Ecgtheow and pay back the Wulfings (wergild).
What is wyrd?
One's fate--"Fate goes ever as fate must."
How is Beowulf related to Hygelac?
That is his uncle.
Who was Sigemund?
The Danish dragon slayer who was highly praised (the scop tells the story as a comparison to Beowulf and how he killed Grendel)
Who is Handscio?
The Geat that Grendel's mother eats.
What is the name of Beowulf's tribe?
The Geats
What awaits a "barbarous burning"?
The mead-hall that Hrothgar builds.
What is whale-road?
The ocean
What is described as the world's candle?
The sun
What happens when Beowulf's men try to help him fight Grendel?
Their weapons don't work.
What is deus ex machina? How does it occur in this section of the reading?
god in the machine--when something unexpected occurs to "save the day." When Beowulf has nothing to use to fight Grendel's mother, a sword, more or less, appears out of nowhere, and he is able to kill her.
What is deus ex machina? How does it occur in this section of the reading?
god out of the machine--when something unexpected occurs to "save the day." When Beowulf has nothing to use to fight Grendel's mother, a sword, more or less, appears out of nowhere, and he is able to kill her.
