Beowulf Test Review

The Anglo-Saxons were once ____ who believed in ____

• Pagans / Many gods, lucky charms, and gems

• Christians / One God and the Bible

• Atheists / Science and reason

• Monotheists / A single deity and scriptures

This quote best illustrates which EPIC hero trait? “He leaped into the lake…For hours he sank through the waves; At last he saw the mud of the bottom.”

• Identifies a need to go on a quest

• Demonstrates exceptional strength

• Exhibits fearlessness in battle

• Shows loyalty to friends

What is the significance of how the author describes the mead hall during the battle with Grendel?

• To show that the mead hall is a place of safety and comfort.

• To illustrate the strength and power of Grendel.

• To show that the more powerful something is, the harder it falls.

• To emphasize the importance of community in the mead hall.

The word dragon comes from the Greek “draconta” meaning “to watch.” How does this etymology relate to the story?

• The dragon is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.

• The dragon is watching over treasures and is unleashed when someone steals from it.

• The dragon represents chaos and destruction in the story.

• The dragon is a guardian of peace and harmony.

How does the way Grendel die progress the storyline?

• It leaves his head as a trophy for Beowulf and Hrothgar to display in the mead hall

• It shows Grendel's weakness and fear of Beowulf

• It leads to a battle between Beowulf and Hrothgar

• It signifies the end of Grendel's lineage and curse

This line “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth—” combined with Beowulf’s funeral ritual and belief in fate prove that the story of Beowulf is unique in that it shows…

• a mixture of Christian teachings and pagan rituals.

• a purely Christian perspective on life and death.

• the dominance of pagan beliefs over Christian values.

• a rejection of both Christian and pagan traditions.

When Beowulf describes how he wants to be remembered this shows

• Self-importance and glory

• Humility and modesty

• Fear of being forgotten

• Desire for wealth and power

The way Beowulf prepares to fight and engages in combat with Grendel’s mother shows…

• He respected her as an opponent, possibly even more so than her son

• He underestimated her abilities and fought carelessly

• He was afraid of her and tried to avoid the fight

• He considered her a lesser foe and fought without honor

What does Wiglaf represent?

• The representation of Anglo-Saxon values.

• A symbol of modernity and change.

• An embodiment of cowardice and betrayal.

• A representation of mythical creatures.

What does Grendel want to do when he is first comes in contact with Beowulf?

• Attack Beowulf directly to prove his strength

• Flee to his lair which is a sign of cowardice which the Anglo-Saxons did not value

• Join forces with Beowulf to defeat a common enemy

• Challenge Beowulf to a duel for honor