Beowulf || QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS!!
Who is Shild and why is he so important to the Danes? correct answers Shild is the first
recorded king of Danes; he is important because his leadership led to the Danes becoming a
great and powerful tribe.
Describe Shild's Viking funeral. correct answers The Danes took him to fighting ship, laid
him near the mast, and then they heaped the ship with treasures, jeweled helmets, hooked
swords, and coats of mail; they then set the ship afloat to drift out to sea.
Why does Hrothgar build a mead-hall and what is it called? correct answers The mead-hall is
called Herot, and it serves as a place for tribesmen to gather in celebration and to receive gifts
from their king. Hrothgar designs a mighty hall so that all may see how the Lord has blessed
him.
Why does Grendel become angry with Hrothgar and the men in the hall? correct answers
Grendel is jealous of the men's happiness and frequent celebrations.
What does the bard sing about, and why does this anger Grendel? correct answers The singer
retells the story of creation, or how the Almighty God fashioned the world and all of its
inhabitants. This story angers Grendel because God has cursed him.
Describe Grendel's heritage, including why he is cursed. correct answers Grendel is a
descendant of Cain, whom God punished, along with all his descendants, for killing his
brother, Abel.
What religious elements are revealed in this chapter? correct answers Christian elements,
such as the story of creation and Cain, are combined with pagan elements.
How many thanes did Grendel kill on the first night that he attacked? correct answers
Grendel kills thirty thanes.
What is the result of Grendel's repeated attacks at Herot? correct answers The hall remains
empty for twelve years.
According to ballads, how is Hrothgar affected by his continuous battle with Grendel? correct
answers Hrothgar no longer meets with earls, makes peace pacts, agrees on blood-gold, or
pays reasonable amounts to warriors for the feud with Grendel.
What is the only thing that Grendel will not touch or approach in Herot? correct answers
Grendel will not approach the throne because it is sacred to God, who has the cursed the
creature.
According to the narrator, why do the Danes hold heathen sacrifices instead of praying to
God? correct answers They have prayed to God for deliverance from Grendel, but when that
does not produce any results, they turn to the old gods for help.
, Explain whether the narrator is a pagan or a Christian. correct answers The narrator is most
likely a Christian because the Seyldings are said to practice a "heathen faith" and " knew not
the Almighty." The narrator prophesizes Christian redemption for the pagans by stating, "But
it goes well with him who may draw near to his Lord after the day of death, finding
friendship in the Father's arena!"
Who is Beowulf's king? correct answers Beowulf's king is Higlac, his uncle
Why do Beowulf and a group of Geats travel to Hrothgars' kingdom? correct answers The
Geats want to stop Grendel's attacks.
What does it mean when it says that Beowulf "unlocking words from deep in his breast?"
What special ability does this imply that Beowulf possesses? correct answers Beowulf has a
sufficient vocabulary, and he is a fluent speaker.
Why are the Geats noteworthy to the Danish sentry? correct answers They are noteworthy
because they were finely armed, had regal bearings, and landed openly on the shores of
Hrothgar's kingdom.
Why does Wulfgar believe that the Geats are there for glory and not because they are exiled?
correct answers The Geats have a heroic bearing that leads Wulfgar to believe that they are
noble men. He tells Hrothgar, "By their war-gear they appear worthy warriors, and their
leader, a hero who lead his band hither, is surely a valiant man.
Describe Hrothgar's reaction to Beowulf's arrival. correct answers Hrothgar is happy and
thankful for Beowulf's arrival. The Kind openly receives the Geats because he has heard of
Beowulf's strength and courage, and he considers the visit to be a gift from God.
According to Beowulf, why is he qualified to fight Grendel? correct answers Beowulf
considers himself worthy because he is strong, and he has a successful record of fighting
beasts and giants.
How does Beowulf plan to fight Grendel? correct answers Beowulf plans to fight Grendel in
hand-to-hand combat, without weapons.
What is Beowulf's only request if he is killed in battle? correct answers Beowulf only repeats
that his armor, heirloom of Hrethel and work of Weland, be sent to Higlac, his king
In the past, why did Beowulf's father swear loyalty to Hrothgar? correct answers Edgetho
killed Hathlaf, a Wulfing warrior, and then sought refuge with the southern Danes. Hrothgar
paid a blood-price to the Wulfings in order to save Edgetho and settle the feud.
How does Hrothgar's family single him out as a leader? correct answers They call him the
protector of the Danish people and they respect and honor him as their king and leader.
Of what does Unferth accuse Beowulf? correct answers Unferth accuses Beowulf of losing a
sea-swimming race to Brecca.
According to Beowulf, how did his race with Brecca begin? correct answers As youths,
Beowulf and Brecca bragged about someday risking their lives by crossing the main. As men,
SOLUTIONS!!
Who is Shild and why is he so important to the Danes? correct answers Shild is the first
recorded king of Danes; he is important because his leadership led to the Danes becoming a
great and powerful tribe.
Describe Shild's Viking funeral. correct answers The Danes took him to fighting ship, laid
him near the mast, and then they heaped the ship with treasures, jeweled helmets, hooked
swords, and coats of mail; they then set the ship afloat to drift out to sea.
Why does Hrothgar build a mead-hall and what is it called? correct answers The mead-hall is
called Herot, and it serves as a place for tribesmen to gather in celebration and to receive gifts
from their king. Hrothgar designs a mighty hall so that all may see how the Lord has blessed
him.
Why does Grendel become angry with Hrothgar and the men in the hall? correct answers
Grendel is jealous of the men's happiness and frequent celebrations.
What does the bard sing about, and why does this anger Grendel? correct answers The singer
retells the story of creation, or how the Almighty God fashioned the world and all of its
inhabitants. This story angers Grendel because God has cursed him.
Describe Grendel's heritage, including why he is cursed. correct answers Grendel is a
descendant of Cain, whom God punished, along with all his descendants, for killing his
brother, Abel.
What religious elements are revealed in this chapter? correct answers Christian elements,
such as the story of creation and Cain, are combined with pagan elements.
How many thanes did Grendel kill on the first night that he attacked? correct answers
Grendel kills thirty thanes.
What is the result of Grendel's repeated attacks at Herot? correct answers The hall remains
empty for twelve years.
According to ballads, how is Hrothgar affected by his continuous battle with Grendel? correct
answers Hrothgar no longer meets with earls, makes peace pacts, agrees on blood-gold, or
pays reasonable amounts to warriors for the feud with Grendel.
What is the only thing that Grendel will not touch or approach in Herot? correct answers
Grendel will not approach the throne because it is sacred to God, who has the cursed the
creature.
According to the narrator, why do the Danes hold heathen sacrifices instead of praying to
God? correct answers They have prayed to God for deliverance from Grendel, but when that
does not produce any results, they turn to the old gods for help.
, Explain whether the narrator is a pagan or a Christian. correct answers The narrator is most
likely a Christian because the Seyldings are said to practice a "heathen faith" and " knew not
the Almighty." The narrator prophesizes Christian redemption for the pagans by stating, "But
it goes well with him who may draw near to his Lord after the day of death, finding
friendship in the Father's arena!"
Who is Beowulf's king? correct answers Beowulf's king is Higlac, his uncle
Why do Beowulf and a group of Geats travel to Hrothgars' kingdom? correct answers The
Geats want to stop Grendel's attacks.
What does it mean when it says that Beowulf "unlocking words from deep in his breast?"
What special ability does this imply that Beowulf possesses? correct answers Beowulf has a
sufficient vocabulary, and he is a fluent speaker.
Why are the Geats noteworthy to the Danish sentry? correct answers They are noteworthy
because they were finely armed, had regal bearings, and landed openly on the shores of
Hrothgar's kingdom.
Why does Wulfgar believe that the Geats are there for glory and not because they are exiled?
correct answers The Geats have a heroic bearing that leads Wulfgar to believe that they are
noble men. He tells Hrothgar, "By their war-gear they appear worthy warriors, and their
leader, a hero who lead his band hither, is surely a valiant man.
Describe Hrothgar's reaction to Beowulf's arrival. correct answers Hrothgar is happy and
thankful for Beowulf's arrival. The Kind openly receives the Geats because he has heard of
Beowulf's strength and courage, and he considers the visit to be a gift from God.
According to Beowulf, why is he qualified to fight Grendel? correct answers Beowulf
considers himself worthy because he is strong, and he has a successful record of fighting
beasts and giants.
How does Beowulf plan to fight Grendel? correct answers Beowulf plans to fight Grendel in
hand-to-hand combat, without weapons.
What is Beowulf's only request if he is killed in battle? correct answers Beowulf only repeats
that his armor, heirloom of Hrethel and work of Weland, be sent to Higlac, his king
In the past, why did Beowulf's father swear loyalty to Hrothgar? correct answers Edgetho
killed Hathlaf, a Wulfing warrior, and then sought refuge with the southern Danes. Hrothgar
paid a blood-price to the Wulfings in order to save Edgetho and settle the feud.
How does Hrothgar's family single him out as a leader? correct answers They call him the
protector of the Danish people and they respect and honor him as their king and leader.
Of what does Unferth accuse Beowulf? correct answers Unferth accuses Beowulf of losing a
sea-swimming race to Brecca.
According to Beowulf, how did his race with Brecca begin? correct answers As youths,
Beowulf and Brecca bragged about someday risking their lives by crossing the main. As men,
