Beowulf

Which of the following best demonstrates the Anglo-Saxon concept of wyrd and how it shapes the events of the poem?

• "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)

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

"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

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

Select the group of words that accurately completes the following statement:

Grendel's lair is described as _____; in _____, Herot is described as _____.

• solid; contrast; impermanent

• heavenly; comparison; hellish

• peaceful; comparison; chaotic

• hellish; contrast; bright

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which of the following best describes Wiglaf's attitude towards the other soldiers who abandon Beowulf before his battle with the dragon?

• He believes the other soldiers are justified in their actions.

• He thinks their actions are disgraceful and unforgivable.

• While he disagrees with their actions, he does not pass judgment on them.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

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

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

What is the setting of Beowulf? 

• 5th or 6th century Denmark

• 1700s Scandanavia

• 100 AD England 

• America 1500s 

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

What language was Beowulf written in? 

• French 

• Latin

• Middle English 

• Old English 

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Who first wrote down the story of Beowulf? 

• An ancient scop

• A Christian monk

• An Medieval scholar 

• King Hrothgar 

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5