The Battle With Grendel's Mother--Part 1

The Battle With Grendel's Mother

(most questions come from your reading from lines 475-605)

Multiple Choice

What is so unbelievable about Beowulf’s journey to the lair of Grendel’s mother?

• Beowulf is able to stay alive under water for what seems like hours

• Sea monsters attack Beowulf, and he kills them with a magic spell

• Beowulf’s body morphs into that of a sea monster as long as he is underwater

Multiple Choice

Beowulf’s sword could not harm Grendel’s mother, but the sword he found in her den could. What was the difference?

• Grendel’s mother had built up immunity against Beowulf’s sword, specifically

• Beowulf’s sword was man-made, but the other sword was giant-made

• Beowulf bought his sword at the Dollar Tree

• Beowulf’s sword was iron, and Grendel’s mother could melt iron with her breath; the other sword was made of diamonds

Multiple Choice

What does Beowulf do to Grendel’s body when he finds it in the she-monster's lair?

• Prays over it, sending it to hell

• Burns it to ensure it is gone for good

• Dances on top of it

• Cut off its head and brings it to Hrothgar as a trophy

Multiple Select

Who/what failed Beowulf during his battle with Grendel's mother?

• his sword

• his helmet

• his men

• his king

• his courage

Multiple Select

"The iron sang its fierce song, Sang Beowulf's strength." Which literary devices are used in this quote? (Lines 477-78)

• alliteration

• personification

• juxtaposition

• analogy

Multiple Choice

"The iron sang its fierce song, Sang Beowulf's strength." What is the purpose of the literary devices used in this quote? (Lines 477-78)

• They purposely build up the idea that Beowulf and his sword are an unstoppable team, sure to win--this makes us feel the sword's failure more keenly

• They add to the magical quality of the setting--a singing sword (added to the enchanted sword, the magic ring, etc.).

Lines 478-492

But her guest Discovered that no sword could slice her evil Skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her, was useless Now when he needed it. They wrestled, she ripped And tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet, And that too failed him; for the first time in years Of being worn to war it would earn no glory; It was the last time anyone would wear it. But Beowulf Longed only for fame, leaped back Into battle. He tossed his sword aside, Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!

Lines 478-492

But her guest Discovered that no sword could slice her evil Skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her, was useless Now when he needed it. They wrestled, she ripped And tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet, And that too failed him; for the first time in years Of being worn to war it would earn no glory; It was the last time anyone would wear it. But Beowulf Longed only for fame, leaped back Into battle. He tossed his sword aside, Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!

Multiple Choice

The author uses repetition in this passage--over and over again communicating that Beowulf's sword and helmet were unable to help him. What is the author's purpose in doing this?

• It highlights Beowulf's bravery & strength in defeating the monster against all odds.

• It creates a sense of compassion in the reader, shifting the tone to one that is calmer and quieter.

Lines 478-492

But her guest Discovered that no sword could slice her evil Skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her, was useless Now when he needed it. They wrestled, she ripped And tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet, And that too failed him; for the first time in years Of being worn to war it would earn no glory; It was the last time anyone would wear it. But Beowulf Longed only for fame, leaped back Into battle. He tossed his sword aside, Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!  He raised His arms and seized her by the shoulder; anger Doubled his strength, he threw her to the floor

Multiple Choice

In this passage, the author's choice of verbs (leapt, tossed, seized, threw) is significant. Choose the statement that as most accurate.

• It is most significant that the verbs are all past tense, showing that the battle is over.

• These verbs reflect strong, decisive actions--actions without fear or hesitation (despite extreme danger).

• These verbs show a careless lack of concern for whether or not he wins the battle.

These verbs reflect strong, decisive actions--actions without fear or hesitation (despite extreme danger).

• Leapt: no hesitation about reentering battle

• tossed: casually, quickly discarding the useless weapon--like it's no big deal

• seized &threw: quick, strong actions

Lines 478-492

But her guest Discovered that no sword could slice her evil Skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her, was useless Now when he needed it. They wrestled, she ripped And tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet, And that too failed him; for the first time in years Of being worn to war it would earn no glory; It was the last time anyone would wear it. But Beowulf Longed only for fame, leaped back Into battle. He tossed his sword aside, Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!

Multiple Select

"So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!" This passage, in context, reflects which Anglo-Saxon beliefs/values?

• The men who become famous are the men who care about nothing.

• To gain fame/glory, you have to want it more than anything else.

• Victory in battle comes to those who consider glory more valuable than life itself.

• Carelessness can result in fame and glory.

Multiple Select

What kept Grendel's mother from killing Beowulf when she had him pinned on his back and plunged her dagger towards his chest?

• Beowulf's quick thinking

• the good quality of Beowulf's armor

• God's intervention

• fate/luck

• a magic spell

Lines 513-525

Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift Its carved and decorated length. He drew it From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, And then, savage, now, angry And desperate, lifted it high over his head And struck with all the strength he had left, Caught her in the neck and cut it through, Broke bones and all. Her body fell To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight.

Multiple Choice

"Broke bones and all" The use of alliteration and graphic imagery ...

• reflects the Anglo-Saxon love for violence/gory details

• highlights Beowulf's super human strength

• shows the irony of how she died

Multiple Choice

Why did Beowulf behead Grendel?

• he couldn't tell whether or not Grendel was dead

• overkill--Grendel was dead, but Beowulf wanted revenge somehow

• Grendel was still living, although weak from blood loss--Beowulf finished him off

Multiple Choice

"then struck off His head with a single swift blow" The author's use of alliteration and graphic description of Beowulf's action ...

• highlight's Beowulf's physical strength

• reflects the intensity of Beowulf's anger/desire for revenge

• both of these