Beowulf -- Exam Review

Which of Healfdane's children now rules his Danish kingdom?

• Hergar
• Halga
• Yrs
• Hrothgar

Answer explanation

Hrothgar the second son of Healfdane's line.

He becomes King of Denmark after his older brother, Hergar, dies.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

What is the name of the monster that terrorizes the Danes?

• Grendel
• Brenden
• Echidna
• Typhon

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

What is the name of Hrothgar's great mead hall?

• Herot
• Winterfell
• Whiterun
• Novigrad

Answer explanation

Hrothgar builds the hall to commemorate the triumphs and glory of his kingdom and people.

Hrothgar is a gracious and generous king and shares the wealth with his people, as a good king must.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

Why does Grendel attack and eat the Danes?

• He is jealous and hateful toward their joy and connection with God
• He hates singing and joy; He is the inspiration for the Grinch
• The noise keeps Grendel awake, so he attacks in order to sleep peacefully
• Grendel is a beast and has no logical reason for attacking the Danes

Answer explanation

Being descended from Cain, Grendel, and all evil creatures from Cain's line, are cut off from God's light and love.

His resentment toward the Danes joy and connection to God drives him lash out.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

How does Hrothgar know Beowulf?

• Hrothgar is his uncle (Beowulf's father's brother)
• Hrothgar knew Beowulf's father and meet Beowulf when he was a boy
• Hrothgar witnessed Beowulf slay the Sea Serpents
• Beowulf fought alongside Hrothgar in a battle years earlier

Answer explanation

Hrothgar aided Beowulf's father, Edgetho, when he was exiled.

Edgetho had killed a Wulfing warrior, and, in order to avoid a war, he was exiled from his home.

Edgetho eventually met Hrothgar in Denmark, who paid off the Wulfings and settled Edgetho's debt.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.W.11-12.9

Grendel is said to be a descendent of Cain who is the ancestor of all monsters, trolls, goblins, etc.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Cain, in the Biblical stories, is considered the first murderer: he murdered his brother, Abel, out of jealousy.

This single figure, it is said, spawns all evil creatures in the world.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

Grendel terrorizes the Danes for 12 winters (years).

• True
• False

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

The Danes are unable to defeat Grendel mostly because no warrior is brave enough to fight him.

• True
• False

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

Beowulf defeats Grendel by tearing his arm off with his bare hands.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Beowulf chooses to face Grendel without any weapons as a test of his strength, to face Grendel using the same weapons as Grendel wields.

It is later revealed that no swords or spears would have helped Beowulf; Grendel is cursed and invulnerable to weapons made by mortal hands.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.W.11-12.9

Beowulf's homeland is Norway.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Beowulf's homeland is Geatland.

His mother is sister to the King of Geatland, Higlac.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.W.11-12.9