WorksheetsBeowulf Unit Test
Total questions: 40
Worksheet time: 2hrs 12mins
A Classic Epic is the name given to epic poems that start with an invocation or "calling forth" to a muse.
True
False
Epics no longer use kennings or caesuras in them.
True
False
A primary epic contains many instances where gods interrupt the actions of the epic.
True
False
The Comitatus is the Germanic code of honor system, where a knight pledges his life to his wife, as well as all future income he earns.
True
False
In "Beowulf," why does Beowulf sail with his chosen men to Hrothgar's kingdom?
To bring home treasures from that rich kingdom.
To help Hrothgar by destroying a monster.
To win glory by slaying a fire-breathing dragon.
To take over Higlac's throne.
Which of the following lines from "Beowulf" contain an example of a Kenning?
"'Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days/Of my youth have been filled with glory.'"
"Their guide reined in his horse, pointing/To that hall, built by Hrothgar for the best/And bravest of his men. . ."
"The high hall rang, its roof boards swayed, /And Danes shook with terror."
"'. . . I have come so far,/ Oh shelterer of warriors and your people's loved friend, /That this one favor you should not refuse me. . .'"
What does the following line from "Beowulf" mean?
"The monster's thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws."
He is hungry.
He is intelligent
He has sharp claws.
He is not trustworthy.
At the end of the battle in "Beowulf," the poet states that Grendel's defeat is due to what?
Beowulf's lack of planning.
Grendel's evil.
God's and fate's will.
Hrothgar's luck.
Which of the following best explains the theme of "Beowulf"?
Might or Force makes right.
Brains are better than brute strength.
Wickedness can never be defeated.
Good will always triumph or win.
In "Beowulf," Wiglaf thinks he and his comrades should help Beowulf fight the dragon because why?
Beowulf is too old and sick to fight.
It will increase Beowulf's chance of victory.
Then Beowulf's comrades can claim the monster's treasure.
In the past, they promised to repay Beowulf's kindness with their lives.
In "Beowulf," when the dying Beowulf gives Wiglaf his gold necklace, the gesture means that
Beowulf captured the monster's treasure.
Beowulf wants Wiglaf to kill his comrades.
Beowulf recognizes Wiglaf's superior strength in battle.
Beowulf is passing on the rulership and kingdom of Geatland to Wiglaf.
How can the reader tell that 'Beowulf' is a legendary story?
It takes place a long time ago.
The story involves warriors and battles.
The hero is described as someone greater than all other men.
None of these are correct.
Which of the following lines from "Beowulf" contain an example of a caesura?
". . .Hidden evil before hidden evil."
". . .Burns like a torch. No one knows its bottom."
". . .And golden cups and the glorious banner . . ."
". . .And struck at the dragon's scaly hide."
The phrase from "Beowulf," "Noble protector of all seamen," is an example of what?
A Caesura
A Ward
A Kenning
An Alliteration
In its original form, "Beowulf" was what?
Short and Lyrical
A story told orally
Written in French
Composed/Written by royalty
The most important people to the Anglo-Saxons are the what?
Priests or holy men
Sorcerers or witches
Explorers or Adventurers
The Warriors
The first person to write down the tale of "Beowulf" is thought to have been who?
A Christian Monk
A Court Poet
A Member of the Anglo-Saxon Royalty
A Knight
What keeps happening in Herot that drives Grendel to attack?
Grendel grows tired of the music and happiness at Herot
Hrothgar used Grendel's belongings in the construction of Herot
The Danes bragged that they were stronger than Grendel
Nothing. Grendel just is ready for a fight
Why doesn't Grendel attack Hrothgar?
Hrothgar wears a protective cloak/jacket
Hrothgar is physically stronger than the monster and Grendel knows it
As part of a prior treaty, Grendel cannot attack Hrothgar
Hrothgar and his throne are protected by God himself
What one request does Beowulf make of Hrothgar?
He asks Hrothgar to accompany him on his search for Grendel
He asks Hrothgar to allow only him and his men, alone, to drive Grendel from Herot
He asks to be made heir to the throne of Denmark
He asks Hrothgar for money for the quest
What happens at the end of Beowulf's battle against Grendel?
Mortally wounded, Grendel returns to his cave to die
Grendel's body lies dead at Herot
Beowulf is mortally wounded by Grendel
Beowulf hangs Grendel's head from the rafters of Herot
According to Beowulf, what is the only thing that survives after death?
Loyalty
Writing
Families
Fame
Characterize the lake under which Grendel's mother lives.
Shallow but dangerous
Calm waters
Bottomless and composed of hot, boiling blood
Covered with sheets of jagged ice
How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother?
He kills her by shooting her with a bow and arrow
He destroys her with his bare hands
He finds a sword on the wall of the cave and slices her in two
He is helped by his men in killing Grendel's mother
What does Beowulf do when he finds Grendel's body?
He throws it into the lake
He uses it as a shield against Grendel's mother
He mocks and makes fun of it
He chops off Grendel's head
Why does Beowulf announce that he is going to fight the dragon alone?
This is a trick; Beowulf wants the dragon to think he is going to fight it alone.
Beowulf wants to prove that he can keep up with the younger men.
Beowulf wants to keep all of the treasure for himself.
Beowulf feels it is his duty as the King to take on the dragon himself for his people.
What do Beowulf's men do when he goes to fight the dragon?
They run and hide
They rally behind him
They travel to seek the help of the Danes
They are not aware that he is going off to battle the dragon
Who comes to Beowulf's assistance in his battle against the dragon?
The slave who first woke the dragon
No one comes to help
Hrothgar's two sons
Wiglaf
What is Wiglaf's response to Beowulf's soldiers after the death of Beowulf?
He makes his peace with them
He lectures them on their cowardice
He joins them in celebrating Beowulf's life
He accepts their gratitude graciously for helping to slay the dragon
What are Beowulf's instructions for after his funeral?
He wants the Geats to build a large and lasting monument in his honor
He wishes to fade humbly into the past
He wishes to be buried next to the dragon
He wants everyone to have a huge victory celebration in his honor
What is the role of the twelve horsemen?
They become Wiglaf's administrative council
They travel to the Danes to tell them that Beowulf has been killed
They remain at Beowulf's tomb to tell tales of his great fame and glory
They begin a war that plunges the Geats once more into turmoil
Which of the following IS NOT an element of an EPIC?
A hero
A villain
Serious and elevated language
The struggle of good versus evil
What is the term for a universal pattern in literature that all stories, regardless of culture or historical period, share?
Prime Meridian
Authenticity
Archetype
Post Mortem
Which of the following IS NOT a feature of a literary EPIC?
Good Versus Evil
The author is usually anonymous
The story begins in the oral tradition and contains some element of history
It is the only surviving manuscript that has been recorded
Which of the following contains AN APPOSITIVE PHRASE?
"A powerful monster, living down/ In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient/ As day after day the music rang/ Loud in that hall. . ."
". . .sailors/ Have brought us stories of Herot.
". . .He was spawned in that slime,/ Conceived by a pair of those monsters born/ Of Cain, . . ."
"And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods,/ Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell's/ support. . ."
Match the following Stages of a Hero's Journey with the descriptions below:
The hero must navigate a series of tests, trials, and challenges, often with the help of allies and the opposition of enemies
Tests, Allies and Enemies
This is the moment when the hero receives a call to adventure, which could come in the form of a message, a dream, or an encounter with a mentor or guide.
Call To Adventure
The hero approaches the innermost cave or the heart of darkness, often facing their greatest fears and challenges.
Innermost Cave
The hero returns home, transformed and changed by their experiences, armed with new knowledge and insights that they can use to benefit their community.
The Return
This is the moment of the hero’s greatest challenge, where they face a major obstacle or enemy and must overcome it to continue their journey.
The Ordeal
What is the magical sword used by Beowulf called?
Hrunting
Hammer
Lightsaber
Knife
"Beowulf" is first written in what language?
Old English
Latin
Greek
Spanish
What is a person who sings or tells a poem to entertain an audience called?
Scop
What archetype does Beowulf fit?
A Mentor
A Dragon Slayer
A Trickster
A Shadow
