©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
Beowulf Exam Questions With Correct And
Revised Answers.
Why does Beowulf describe himself by recounting his heritage? - answer✔✔Beowulf draws a
connection between himself and his present purpose and the Danish people by reviewing his
ancestry which appeared in the oral tradition as common knowledge.
Who is Wulfgar? What role does he play in this chapter? - answer✔✔Wulfgar is a noble Swede,
known for his strength and wisdom. Wulfgar offers to introduce Beowulf and his men to
Hrothgar, King of the Danes.
What is the purpose of the feast that Hrothgar hosts in Beowulf's honor? - answer✔✔The feast is
to honor Beowulf and his men before they head off to face Grendel.
Who is Siegmund? Why is his story recounted? - answer✔✔Siegmund was a legendary hero to
the Danes. Tales of his exploits were passed down through generations. Beowulf's victory over
Grendel was likened to Siegmund s great feats.
Describe the lake into which Grendel vanished. - answer✔✔The lake into which Grendel
vanished was steaming and boiling with blood, and it was very wavy.
On the morning following the battle, describe the reactions of Hrothgar's people. -
answer✔✔They rejoiced with no sense of remorse for the monster's suffering.
How did Hrothgar become king? What is his past relationship to the Geats? -
answer✔✔Hrothgar's older brother, Hergar, was king and died, making Hrothgar king. Hrothgar
worked with Beowulf's father, Edgetho, to secure an earlier peace.
If Beowulf loses the battle with Grendel, what are his instructions for after his death? -
answer✔✔Beowulf tells Hrothgar that if Grendel defeats him, the Danish king should send the
mail of his armor to Higlac, and return the inheritance he had from Hrethel.
Describe Beowulf's boasts upon meeting Hrothgar, King of the Danes. - answer✔✔Beowulf
greets Hrothgar by regaling him with stories of his great strength and prior exploits. Beowulf
drove five giants into chains and chased them from the earth, and has hunted monsters out of the
ocean.
How long does Grendel haunt Herot? - answer✔✔Twelve winters
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
Why has Grendel been exiled? - answer✔✔Grendel has been exiled, together with all monsters,
goblins, and forms of evil-by the Almighty condemned to live beneath the earth.
What were the gifts from Hrothgar to Beowulf for removing the threat of Grendel? -
answer✔✔For defeating Grendel, Beowulf is given a golden banner to commemorate his victory,
a coat of mail, and an ancient sword.
Who are the two sons of Hrothgar and Welthow? Why are they permitted at the victory feast? -
answer✔✔Hrethric and Hrothmund are the sons of Hrothgar and Welthow. They are permitted at
the feast because they are the guests of Beowulf.
Whom does the mother of Grendel snatch upon her arrival to Herot? - answer✔✔Esher, the
closest friend of Hrothgar
Describe the location of the place where Grendel lived with his mother. - answer✔✔Grendel and
his mother lived beneath a lake covered with frozen spray. The lake burned like a torch, and it
was a lake rumored to be bottomless.
According to Beowulf, what is the only thing that survives death? - answer✔✔The only thing
that survives death, according to Beowulf, is glory and fame.
What is the significance of the sword, Hrunting? - answer✔✔Hrunting is the sword given to
Beowulf by Unferth. It has a shining blade and was hardened in blood.
Describe the reaction of Hrothgar to what is written on the hilt of the sword. What is the
inscription there? - answer✔✔Hrothgar stares in amazement at the hilt of this sword that was
forged by giants and monsters. Its original owner's name is inscribed there, as are stories of
ancient wars between good and evil.
The sons of Welthow are allowed to be the special guests of Beowulf at the feast honoring the
victory over Grendel. What is the BEST reason why? - answer✔✔She wants to solidify their
claim to the throne after Hrothgar dies.
What is the most likely reason that Grendel and his mother are associated with Cain and Abel? -
answer✔✔to draw parallels between the Beowulf legend and the Christian faith
What is the most plausible reason that the story contains the death of Hrothgar's most beloved
friend? - answer✔✔to illustrate that faith can help people deal with great loss
The lake that serves as the entrance to Grendel's mother's cave is described as a boiling lake that
is crawling with sea serpents.
Pretend that the scop is a pagan in pre-Christian Britannia. What is the most likely reason the
poet chooses these images? - answer✔✔to suggest that the epic hero must conquer a place as
forbidding as the lake to prove his worthiness as a warrior
Beowulf Exam Questions With Correct And
Revised Answers.
Why does Beowulf describe himself by recounting his heritage? - answer✔✔Beowulf draws a
connection between himself and his present purpose and the Danish people by reviewing his
ancestry which appeared in the oral tradition as common knowledge.
Who is Wulfgar? What role does he play in this chapter? - answer✔✔Wulfgar is a noble Swede,
known for his strength and wisdom. Wulfgar offers to introduce Beowulf and his men to
Hrothgar, King of the Danes.
What is the purpose of the feast that Hrothgar hosts in Beowulf's honor? - answer✔✔The feast is
to honor Beowulf and his men before they head off to face Grendel.
Who is Siegmund? Why is his story recounted? - answer✔✔Siegmund was a legendary hero to
the Danes. Tales of his exploits were passed down through generations. Beowulf's victory over
Grendel was likened to Siegmund s great feats.
Describe the lake into which Grendel vanished. - answer✔✔The lake into which Grendel
vanished was steaming and boiling with blood, and it was very wavy.
On the morning following the battle, describe the reactions of Hrothgar's people. -
answer✔✔They rejoiced with no sense of remorse for the monster's suffering.
How did Hrothgar become king? What is his past relationship to the Geats? -
answer✔✔Hrothgar's older brother, Hergar, was king and died, making Hrothgar king. Hrothgar
worked with Beowulf's father, Edgetho, to secure an earlier peace.
If Beowulf loses the battle with Grendel, what are his instructions for after his death? -
answer✔✔Beowulf tells Hrothgar that if Grendel defeats him, the Danish king should send the
mail of his armor to Higlac, and return the inheritance he had from Hrethel.
Describe Beowulf's boasts upon meeting Hrothgar, King of the Danes. - answer✔✔Beowulf
greets Hrothgar by regaling him with stories of his great strength and prior exploits. Beowulf
drove five giants into chains and chased them from the earth, and has hunted monsters out of the
ocean.
How long does Grendel haunt Herot? - answer✔✔Twelve winters
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
Why has Grendel been exiled? - answer✔✔Grendel has been exiled, together with all monsters,
goblins, and forms of evil-by the Almighty condemned to live beneath the earth.
What were the gifts from Hrothgar to Beowulf for removing the threat of Grendel? -
answer✔✔For defeating Grendel, Beowulf is given a golden banner to commemorate his victory,
a coat of mail, and an ancient sword.
Who are the two sons of Hrothgar and Welthow? Why are they permitted at the victory feast? -
answer✔✔Hrethric and Hrothmund are the sons of Hrothgar and Welthow. They are permitted at
the feast because they are the guests of Beowulf.
Whom does the mother of Grendel snatch upon her arrival to Herot? - answer✔✔Esher, the
closest friend of Hrothgar
Describe the location of the place where Grendel lived with his mother. - answer✔✔Grendel and
his mother lived beneath a lake covered with frozen spray. The lake burned like a torch, and it
was a lake rumored to be bottomless.
According to Beowulf, what is the only thing that survives death? - answer✔✔The only thing
that survives death, according to Beowulf, is glory and fame.
What is the significance of the sword, Hrunting? - answer✔✔Hrunting is the sword given to
Beowulf by Unferth. It has a shining blade and was hardened in blood.
Describe the reaction of Hrothgar to what is written on the hilt of the sword. What is the
inscription there? - answer✔✔Hrothgar stares in amazement at the hilt of this sword that was
forged by giants and monsters. Its original owner's name is inscribed there, as are stories of
ancient wars between good and evil.
The sons of Welthow are allowed to be the special guests of Beowulf at the feast honoring the
victory over Grendel. What is the BEST reason why? - answer✔✔She wants to solidify their
claim to the throne after Hrothgar dies.
What is the most likely reason that Grendel and his mother are associated with Cain and Abel? -
answer✔✔to draw parallels between the Beowulf legend and the Christian faith
What is the most plausible reason that the story contains the death of Hrothgar's most beloved
friend? - answer✔✔to illustrate that faith can help people deal with great loss
The lake that serves as the entrance to Grendel's mother's cave is described as a boiling lake that
is crawling with sea serpents.
Pretend that the scop is a pagan in pre-Christian Britannia. What is the most likely reason the
poet chooses these images? - answer✔✔to suggest that the epic hero must conquer a place as
forbidding as the lake to prove his worthiness as a warrior
