Beowulf

Beowulf slays Grendel in order to —

• save Hrothgar and the Danes from the monster

• prevent Grendel from invading the land of the Geats

• keep Herot from being destroyed

• carry off the treasure in Grendel’s lair

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Beowulf must battle Grendel with his bare hands because —

• Beowulf wishes to prove his bravery

• the Geats traditionally did battle with their bare hands

• Grendel had magically made all weapons useless against him

• Beowulf wishes to prove the superiority of the Geats over the Danes

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Which of the following statements about Wiglaf is true?

• His inexperience makes him unworthy to succeed to the throne.

• He makes an eloquent speech about the virtues of loyalty and bravery.

• He tells Beowulf that the other warriors will desert Beowulf when he needs them most

• He believes in and speaks about the inner goodness of all people.

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How does Beowulf die?

• Unaided by most of the warriors, Beowulf is killed as he and Wiglaf fight the dragon.

• After killing the dragon, Beowulf and his followers fight over the treasure, and Beowulf is killed.

• The dragon kills him as Beowulf goes out unarmed to fight the monster.

• Surrounded by a crowd of helpful warriors, Beowulf is the last to fall.

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What last thoughts does Beowulf express as he is dying?

• Affection and longing for his family

• A desire for respect and pride in his ability to protect his people

• Fear that the kingdom of the Geats will fall apart after he dies

• Bitterness because his soldiers did not help him fight the dragon

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The most important event in Beowulf’s career as leader of the Geats is the —

• speech for the prince

• celebration that involved both Danes and Geats

• tracing of the bloody footprints

• attack on the dragon

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In Beowulf’s fight to the death with Grendel’s mother, the piece of his own equipment that saves his life is his —

• helmet

• shield

• sword, Hrunting

• woven mail shirt

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Beowulf tells Wiglaf that he wants his burned-out funeral pyre to be a —

• sign of the new Christian faith

• reminder to Wiglaf of his duties

• monument to King Hrothgar

• reminder to his people of his greatness

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Which of the following quotations from Beowulf does NOT contain alliteration?

• “It was no easy thing / to have to give ground like that and go. . . .”

• “Then he addressed each dear companion. . . .”

• “The hoard-guard recognized / a human voice . . .”

• “‘I remember that time when mead was flowing . . .’”

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The archetypal epic hero stands in relation to his or her community as the hero —

• who saves his or her people from possible disaster

• whose individual quest has nothing to do with the community

• who, as a supreme individual, is indifferent to the fate of others

• who gives his or her own life to protect those less worthy

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