Beowulf

What best defines the central difference between Beowulf and Wiglaf as heroes of the Danes?

• Beowulf is strongest; Wiglaf is smartest.

• Beowulf is wise; Wiglaf is adventurous.

• Beowulf is past his prime; Wiglaf is still young and ambitious.

• Beowulf is humble and honorable; Wiglaf is full of arrogance and swagger.

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Which choice best explains why the author put the battle with Grendel’s mother at the bottom of the lake?

• The lake is difficult territory for the Danes, thus causing doubt for Grendel’s mother and the reader.

• The lake is a deeply symbolic place for Grendel’s mother to hide, thus reinforcing what a complex enemy she is.

• The dark underwater hall is the domain of Grendel’s mother, thus raising the story’s tension and conflict.

• The dark lake represents the evil of Grendel’s mother, thus contrasting with the goodness of the Danes.

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In his speech (lines 211−215) before he battles the dragon, Beowulf says:

I've never known fear, as a youth I fought

In endless battles. I am old, now, But I will

fight again, seek fame still, If the dragon

hiding in his tower dares To face me.

What do these lines convey about Beowulf's state of mind?

• He’s feeling brave and utterly without fear as he goes into battle.

• He’s certain of his strength and wants to inspire his frightened men to feel the same.

• He knows he is old now and this weighs on his mind.

• He has no plans to actually fight the dragon, despite his pretense of courage.

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In lines 288−290, the poet describes death as —

a journey

Into darkness that all men must make, as death

Ends their few brief hours on earth.

Which choice best describes what this sentiment seems to tell us about people 1,200 years ago, when Beowulf
was written?

• The people of that era viewed life as a gift from the gods.

• The people of that era viewed life as a tragedy that would quickly end.

• The people of that era viewed life more simply and with more gratitude.

• The people of that era viewed life as fragile and were more fatalistic.

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Which best summarizes the motivations of Grendel's mother?

• She wants revenge against the Danes for the death of her son.

• She wants to recover the honor of her tribe and family.

• She wants to cause as much pain to the Danes as possible.

• She wants to protect her lake habitat and family.

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Which line from Beowulf makes the most use of alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words?

• telling with mastery of man’s beginnings (line 6)

• because the Almighty made him anathema (line 25)

•       blundering back with the butchered corpses (line 40)

• Grendel’s powers of destruction were plain (line 42)

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Which lines from Beowulf help develop the theme that a hero should win glory through acts of bravery?

• “Greetings to Hrothgar. I am Hygelac’s kinsman, / one of his hall-troop. (lines 142–143)

• . . . sailors brought stories of the plight you suffer / in this legendary hall . . . (lines 146–147)

• So every elder and experienced councilman / among my people supported my resolve . . . (lines 150–151)

• Now I mean to be a match for Grendel, / settle the outcome in single combat. (lines 160–161)

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Epic poems reflect the culture and time in which they are written. Beowulf does
this mainly by —

• using formal syntax to show the seriousness of Anglo-Saxon culture

•       including long speeches that refer to events from Anglo-Saxon history

• telling a story about a hero who embodies the ideals of the Anglo Saxons

•       including details about the crafts and technology developed by the Anglo Saxons

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Which description of Grendel from the poem best supports the universal theme that Beowulf’s battle with him is a contest between good and evil?

• It harrowed him / to hear the din of the loud banquet . . . (lines 2–3)

•       Malignant by nature, he never showed remorse. (line 52)

• If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day . . . (line 177)

• He had conjured the harm from the cutting edge / of every weapon. (lines 327–328)

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Describe the personal characteristics that identify Grendel, his mother, or the dragon as the epic poem’s antagonists, the main character in opposition to the hero. Cite evidence from the selection to support your answer.

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