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)

"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

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

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.

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

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.

What is the setting of Beowulf? 

• 5th or 6th century Denmark

• 1700s Scandanavia

• 100 AD England 

• America 1500s 

What language was Beowulf written in? 

• French 

• Latin

• Middle English 

• Old English 

Who first wrote down the story of Beowulf? 

• An ancient scop

• A Christian monk

• An Medieval scholar 

• King Hrothgar