©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
Beowulf Exam Questions With Correct And
Revised Answers.
Name the characteristics of an epic hero - answer✔✔1. hero of noble birth/ high position in
society
2. legendary importance
3. character traits= reflect important ideals of society
4. deeds reflect values of era
5. performs actions that often determine fate of nation
epic tradition - answer✔✔epics were orally passed down for a long time until someone finally
wrote it down
conventions of an epic - answer✔✔reflect larger than life events
setting=big
plot=journey/quest
supernatural element
dialogue- formal speeches
theme- timeless values/ universal ideas
style- formal (diction/word choice is serious in tone)
define alliteration and give an example from Beowulf - answer✔✔repetition of consonant sounds
at the beginning of words, which helps unify the lines
example:: "in secret sessions..."
Define kenning and give an example from Beowuld - answer✔✔poetic synonyms found in
Germanic poems, descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun
example: the Lord Almighty
Describe Herot - answer✔✔Herot is a mead hall built by Hrothgar, King of the Danes. His
subjects conjugate there // like a bar. This is the place Grendel invaded.
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
describe Grendel's lair. How does it compare to Herot? - answer✔✔slimy, marsh, like hell,
What is the significance of Grendel being descended from Cain? - answer✔✔Cain was the first
murderer, who killed his brother Abel. Grendel is a murderer
Why does Grendel attack Herot? - answer✔✔...
What are Beowulf's thoughts as he waits for Grendel's arrival? - answer✔✔He is eager for him
to come. He had high hopes that he will destroy him with no weapons and become a hero.
Why does Beowulf wait, allowing Grendel to kill one of the Geats, before he attacks Grendel? -
answer✔✔He wanted Grendel to think he was sleeping so he could catch him off guard. If he
was waiting for him awake Grendel would be prepared to fight him.
Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel - answer✔✔Grendel goes for Beowulf when
he thought he was sleeping but Beowulf catches him off guard and seizes him. Grendel was
shocked and only wanted to escape. They battled throughout the mead hall. Grendel gradually
began to lose strength and the battle ended when his arm came off, claw and off. He escaped
back home, but it was implied he would die.
How does Beowulf wound Grendel - answer✔✔he rips his whole arm off
What does Beowulf hang from the rafters of Herot? - answer✔✔Grendel's arm
Describe Grendel's death - answer✔✔He went back to his home swamp to die. The water was
nasty and murky and bloody
Describe Beowulf's attitude at this point in the story - answer✔✔He is fearless and cocky and
thinks he can do anything.
Why does Grendel's mother attack Herot? What does she take with her? - answer✔✔She attacks
for revenge. She took back her son's arm
Describe the lake - answer✔✔the lake is murky and dark. They live deep down, past cliffs and it
burns like a torch. No one ever goes as far as they live
describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel's mother - answer✔✔she takes him to a battle
hall. he tries to strike her with a sword bu no sword can hurt her. he get a surge of energy and
seized her but she fired right back. she stabbed him but his mail shirt saved him.
How does Beowulf defeat her? - answer✔✔he takes a dagger from the wall and strikes her neck
which is what finally kills her
What does Beowulf do before he swims back to land? What do Hrothgar and the other warriors
think has happened? - answer✔✔he finds dead Grendel and chops his head off for final revenge.
They thought that Beowulf had died and lost the battle
Beowulf Exam Questions With Correct And
Revised Answers.
Name the characteristics of an epic hero - answer✔✔1. hero of noble birth/ high position in
society
2. legendary importance
3. character traits= reflect important ideals of society
4. deeds reflect values of era
5. performs actions that often determine fate of nation
epic tradition - answer✔✔epics were orally passed down for a long time until someone finally
wrote it down
conventions of an epic - answer✔✔reflect larger than life events
setting=big
plot=journey/quest
supernatural element
dialogue- formal speeches
theme- timeless values/ universal ideas
style- formal (diction/word choice is serious in tone)
define alliteration and give an example from Beowulf - answer✔✔repetition of consonant sounds
at the beginning of words, which helps unify the lines
example:: "in secret sessions..."
Define kenning and give an example from Beowuld - answer✔✔poetic synonyms found in
Germanic poems, descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun
example: the Lord Almighty
Describe Herot - answer✔✔Herot is a mead hall built by Hrothgar, King of the Danes. His
subjects conjugate there // like a bar. This is the place Grendel invaded.
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
describe Grendel's lair. How does it compare to Herot? - answer✔✔slimy, marsh, like hell,
What is the significance of Grendel being descended from Cain? - answer✔✔Cain was the first
murderer, who killed his brother Abel. Grendel is a murderer
Why does Grendel attack Herot? - answer✔✔...
What are Beowulf's thoughts as he waits for Grendel's arrival? - answer✔✔He is eager for him
to come. He had high hopes that he will destroy him with no weapons and become a hero.
Why does Beowulf wait, allowing Grendel to kill one of the Geats, before he attacks Grendel? -
answer✔✔He wanted Grendel to think he was sleeping so he could catch him off guard. If he
was waiting for him awake Grendel would be prepared to fight him.
Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel - answer✔✔Grendel goes for Beowulf when
he thought he was sleeping but Beowulf catches him off guard and seizes him. Grendel was
shocked and only wanted to escape. They battled throughout the mead hall. Grendel gradually
began to lose strength and the battle ended when his arm came off, claw and off. He escaped
back home, but it was implied he would die.
How does Beowulf wound Grendel - answer✔✔he rips his whole arm off
What does Beowulf hang from the rafters of Herot? - answer✔✔Grendel's arm
Describe Grendel's death - answer✔✔He went back to his home swamp to die. The water was
nasty and murky and bloody
Describe Beowulf's attitude at this point in the story - answer✔✔He is fearless and cocky and
thinks he can do anything.
Why does Grendel's mother attack Herot? What does she take with her? - answer✔✔She attacks
for revenge. She took back her son's arm
Describe the lake - answer✔✔the lake is murky and dark. They live deep down, past cliffs and it
burns like a torch. No one ever goes as far as they live
describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel's mother - answer✔✔she takes him to a battle
hall. he tries to strike her with a sword bu no sword can hurt her. he get a surge of energy and
seized her but she fired right back. she stabbed him but his mail shirt saved him.
How does Beowulf defeat her? - answer✔✔he takes a dagger from the wall and strikes her neck
which is what finally kills her
What does Beowulf do before he swims back to land? What do Hrothgar and the other warriors
think has happened? - answer✔✔he finds dead Grendel and chops his head off for final revenge.
They thought that Beowulf had died and lost the battle
