Beowulf || QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS!!
Beowulf correct answers The protagonist of the poem. Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights
the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf's exploits prove
him to be the strongest, ablest warrior of his time. In his youth, he personifies the values of
the heroic culture. In his old age, he proves a wise and effective ruler.
Grendel correct answers A demon descended from Cain. Grendel preys on Hrothgar's
warriors in the king's mead-hall, Heorot. Because Grendel's ruthless and miserable existence
is part of the retribution exacted by God for Cain's murder of Abel, Grendel fits solidly within
the ethos of vengeance that governs the world of the poem.
Grendel's Mother correct answers A demon even more monstrous than Grendel. Grendel's
mother seeks revenge on Hrothgar's men for the death of her son. Beowulf journeys to her
magical, creature-filled lair beneath the swamp in order to defeat her.
King Hrothgar correct answers The king of the Danes. Hrothgar enjoys military success and
prosperity until Grendel comes to terrorize his realm. Hrothgar is a wise and aged ruler, and
he 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.
Unferth correct answers A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf. Unferth is unable or
unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf.
Hygelac correct answers Beowulf's uncle, king of the Geats, and husband of Hygd. Hygelac
heartily welcomes Beowulf upon his return from Denmark.
Ecgtheow correct answers Beowulf's father, Hygelac's brother-in-law, and Hrothgar's friend.
Ecgtheow is dead by the time the story begins, but he lives on through the noble reputation
that he made for himself and in his dutiful son's remembrances.
King Hrethel correct answers The Geatish king who took Beowulf in as a ward after the death
of Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father.
The dragon correct answers An ancient, powerful serpent that guards a horde of treasure.
Beowulf fights the dragon in the third and final part of the epic.
Wiglaf correct answers A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf. Wiglaf helps Beowulf in
the fight against the dragon after the other warriors run away. Wiglaf adheres to the heroic
code, thereby proving himself a suitable successor to Beowulf.
SOLUTIONS!!
Beowulf correct answers The protagonist of the poem. Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights
the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf's exploits prove
him to be the strongest, ablest warrior of his time. In his youth, he personifies the values of
the heroic culture. In his old age, he proves a wise and effective ruler.
Grendel correct answers A demon descended from Cain. Grendel preys on Hrothgar's
warriors in the king's mead-hall, Heorot. Because Grendel's ruthless and miserable existence
is part of the retribution exacted by God for Cain's murder of Abel, Grendel fits solidly within
the ethos of vengeance that governs the world of the poem.
Grendel's Mother correct answers A demon even more monstrous than Grendel. Grendel's
mother seeks revenge on Hrothgar's men for the death of her son. Beowulf journeys to her
magical, creature-filled lair beneath the swamp in order to defeat her.
King Hrothgar correct answers The king of the Danes. Hrothgar enjoys military success and
prosperity until Grendel comes to terrorize his realm. Hrothgar is a wise and aged ruler, and
he 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.
Unferth correct answers A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf. Unferth is unable or
unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf.
Hygelac correct answers Beowulf's uncle, king of the Geats, and husband of Hygd. Hygelac
heartily welcomes Beowulf upon his return from Denmark.
Ecgtheow correct answers Beowulf's father, Hygelac's brother-in-law, and Hrothgar's friend.
Ecgtheow is dead by the time the story begins, but he lives on through the noble reputation
that he made for himself and in his dutiful son's remembrances.
King Hrethel correct answers The Geatish king who took Beowulf in as a ward after the death
of Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father.
The dragon correct answers An ancient, powerful serpent that guards a horde of treasure.
Beowulf fights the dragon in the third and final part of the epic.
Wiglaf correct answers A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf. Wiglaf helps Beowulf in
the fight against the dragon after the other warriors run away. Wiglaf adheres to the heroic
code, thereby proving himself a suitable successor to Beowulf.
