Beowulf characters (from SparkNotes) 100%
VERIFIED!!
Beowulf correct answers Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and
a fire-breathing dragon. He personifies all of the best values of the heroic culture. In his old
age, he proves a wise and effective ruler.
King Hrothgar correct answers The king of the Danes. He enjoys military success and
prosperity until Grendel terrorizes his realm. represents a different kind of leadership from
that exhibited by the youthful warrior Beowulf. He is a father figure to Beowulf and a model
for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes.
Grendel correct answers A demon descended from Cain, he preys on Hrothgar's warriors in
the king's mead-hall, Heorot. Because his ruthless and miserable existence is part of the
retribution exacted by God for Cain's murder of Abel, he fits solidly within the ethos of
vengeance that governs the world of the poem.
Grendel's mother correct answers An unnamed swamp-hag. she seems to possess fewer
human qualities than Grendel, although her terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire
for vengeance—a human motivation.
The dragon correct answers An ancient, powerful serpent that guards a horde of treasure in a
hidden mound
Shield Sheafson correct answers The legendary Danish king from whom Hrothgar is
descended. The mythical founder who inaugurates a long line of Danish rulers and embodies
the Danish tribe's highest values of heroism and leadership.
Beow correct answers The second king listed in the genealogy of Danish rulers with which
the poem begins. The son of Shield Sheafson and father of Halfdane. He is a gift from God to
a people in need of a leader.
Halfdane correct answers The father of Hrothgar, Heorogar, Halga, and an unnamed daughter
who married a king of the Swedes. He succeeded Beow as ruler of the Danes.
Wealhtheow correct answers Hrothgar's wife, the gracious queen of the Danes.
Unferth correct answers A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf. He is unable or
unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf.
Hrethric correct answers Hrothgar's older son. He stands to inherit the Danish throne, but his
older cousin Hrothulf will prevent him from doing so.
Hrothmund correct answers The second son of Hrothgar.
Hrothulf correct answers Hrothgar's nephew. He betrays and usurps his cousin, Hrethic, the
rightful heir to the Danish throne. His treachery contrasts with Beowulf's loyalty to Hygelac
in helping his son to the throne.
VERIFIED!!
Beowulf correct answers Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and
a fire-breathing dragon. He personifies all of the best values of the heroic culture. In his old
age, he proves a wise and effective ruler.
King Hrothgar correct answers The king of the Danes. He enjoys military success and
prosperity until Grendel terrorizes his realm. represents a different kind of leadership from
that exhibited by the youthful warrior Beowulf. He is a father figure to Beowulf and a model
for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes.
Grendel correct answers A demon descended from Cain, he preys on Hrothgar's warriors in
the king's mead-hall, Heorot. Because his ruthless and miserable existence is part of the
retribution exacted by God for Cain's murder of Abel, he fits solidly within the ethos of
vengeance that governs the world of the poem.
Grendel's mother correct answers An unnamed swamp-hag. she seems to possess fewer
human qualities than Grendel, although her terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire
for vengeance—a human motivation.
The dragon correct answers An ancient, powerful serpent that guards a horde of treasure in a
hidden mound
Shield Sheafson correct answers The legendary Danish king from whom Hrothgar is
descended. The mythical founder who inaugurates a long line of Danish rulers and embodies
the Danish tribe's highest values of heroism and leadership.
Beow correct answers The second king listed in the genealogy of Danish rulers with which
the poem begins. The son of Shield Sheafson and father of Halfdane. He is a gift from God to
a people in need of a leader.
Halfdane correct answers The father of Hrothgar, Heorogar, Halga, and an unnamed daughter
who married a king of the Swedes. He succeeded Beow as ruler of the Danes.
Wealhtheow correct answers Hrothgar's wife, the gracious queen of the Danes.
Unferth correct answers A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf. He is unable or
unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf.
Hrethric correct answers Hrothgar's older son. He stands to inherit the Danish throne, but his
older cousin Hrothulf will prevent him from doing so.
Hrothmund correct answers The second son of Hrothgar.
Hrothulf correct answers Hrothgar's nephew. He betrays and usurps his cousin, Hrethic, the
rightful heir to the Danish throne. His treachery contrasts with Beowulf's loyalty to Hygelac
in helping his son to the throne.
