Beowulf

As epic hero, Beowulf possesses all of the following characteristics EXCEPT

• Unusual circumstances of birth

• Has a special weapon only he can wield

• Must prove himself many times while on adventure

• Receives an unhealable wound

Beowulf was originally written in

• German

• Old English

• Modern English

• Middle English

How many years does Grendel terrorize the Danes?

• 1

• 6

• 12

• 15

Grendel is a demon who is descended from what biblical character?

• Abel

• Abraham

• Cain

• Moses

What is a kenning?

• two word metaphor used in place of a noun

• repetition of beginning consonant sounds

• giving non-human things human characteristics

• an understatement that illustrates the opposite of what it states

These are the poets and minstrels during the Anglo-Saxon period.

• Geats

• Jutes

• Danes

• Scops

Whale-road is an example of:

• alliteration

• kenning

• caesura

• elegy

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)

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

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