Beowulf Quiz

What is the meaning of the word affliction as it appears in the following excerpts?

"And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods...hoping for...the Devil's guidance in driving/Their affliction off." (lines 90-93)

"Bold and strong-minded, had driven affliction/Off, purged Herot clean." (lines 348-49)

• a desire, wish, or aspiration

• a problem or something that causes pain

• bravery, boldness, or fearlessness

• intense religious devotion

What is the meaning of the word loathsome as it appears in the following excerpt?

"...and running to his loathsome moor [land]/With another such sickening meal waiting/In his pouch." (lines 538-40)

• disgusting or repulsive

• appealing or attractive

• swift or quick

• delaying or putting off

In that same excerpt, which of the following words is a context clue for loathsome?

"...and running to his loathsome moor [land]/With another such sickening meal waiting/In his pouch." (lines 538-40)

• meal

• running

• sickening

• waiting

Which of the following lines does NOT demonstrate Beowulf's characteristics as an epic hero?

• "'I've never known fear, as a youth I fought/In endless battles.'" (lines 608-9)

• "...the strongest of the Geats—greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world—" (lines 110-11)

• "...he knows of your noble birth/And that having come to him from over the open/Sea you have come bravely..." (lines 128-30)

• "I have heard,/Too, that the monster's scorn of men/Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none." (lines 166-68)

"shepherd of evil, guardian of crime" (line 273)

"the afflictor/Of men, tormentor of their days" (lines 331-32)

The above excerpts are examples of...

• The Anglo-Saxon concept of wyrd

• Kennings that describe Grendel's mother

• Kennings that describe Grendel

• Biblical allusions that reiterate Grendel's evil nature

"fire-spitting terror" (line 790)

"the gray-bearded lord of the Geats" (line 792)

The above lines are examples of...

• Biblical allusions that demonstrate the importance of loyalty in Anglo-Saxon society

• Kennings that refer to the dragon and Beowulf

• Alliteration that emphasizes Beowulf's bravery

• Kennings that refer to Grendel's mother and Beowulf

"the fire-spitting terror" (line 790)

"the gray-bearded lord of the Geats" (line 792)

How does the poet's word choice in the above excerpts impact the mood of this scene?

• It creates a cheerful mood by emphasizing how many treasures Beowulf has gained as a result of defeating the dragon.

• It creates a frightening mood by highlighting how much more powerful the dragon is in comparison to Beowulf's earlier enemies.

• It creates a sad mood by emphasizing how weak and helpless Beowulf has become even though he is still willing to fight.

• It creates a comical mood by illustrating how ridiculous it is for Beowulf, now an old man, to fight the dragon.

Which of the following best demonstrates the Anglo-Saxon concept of wyrd and how it shapes the events of the poem? (Wyrd is a powerful force that controls people's lives, but some people can change their wyrd through acts of courage. The concept of wyrd is a recurrent theme in Old English literature.)

• "And then he who'd endured dozens of desperate/Battles, who'd stood boldly while swords and shields/Clashed, the best of kings..." (lines 637-39)

• "Her visit ended their good fortune, reversed/The bright vane of their luck." (lines 399-400)

• "They wrestled, she ripped/And tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet,/And that too failed him..." (lines 481-83)

• "But fate, that night, intended/Grendel to gnaw the broken bones/Of his last human supper." (lines 258-59)

"That mighty protector of men/Meant to hold the monster till its life/Leaped out..."

Considering the above example, which of the following best describes the tone that the poet takes when describing Beowulf in his battles?

• admiring; praising

• disgusted; repulsed

• optimistic; hopeful

• fearful; apprehensive

At the beginning of the poem (lines 19-23), there is a Biblical allusion to Cain, who killed his brother Abel.

Select the two reasons why this allusion is significant.

• It reveals key details about Beowulf's heritage.

• It shows that Grendel's mother's motives are somewhat justified.

• It explains why Grendel is evil and murderous.

• It highlights the contrast between Beowulf and King Hrothgar.

• It shows that loyalty (to leader, family, etc.) is an important value in Anglo-Saxon society.