Beowulf review Period 3

Part I

Herot is the place where the Danes, Hrothgar, and his warriors dwell. It is most of their homeland. It is a mead hall, where they celebrate their warriors’ victories. Herot is also located close to Grendel’s swamp. Which leads to Grendel attacking so quickly. Cain is a figurative monster and Grendel was a literal monster. Cain killed his brother, Abel, out of hate and jealousy and was the first man to murder. God cast him out and cursed him and his descendants. Grendel happened to be one of Cain’s descendants, which ties into them both being monsters. Before the coming of Grendel, Herot represented hope. After the coming of Grendel, Herot represented lamenting and mourning. Herot also represents Earth after God’s judgement. “Grendel Attacks the Danes”

Part II “The coming of Beowulf”

4. Why is Hrothgar’s watchman concerned about the arrival of Beowulf and his men? Hrothgar’s watchman was concerned because Beowulf’s men came without warning and they were fully armed. He said, “Strangers, From wherever it was you sailed… Exactly who you are, and from where, and why” (Raffel ).

5. How does the lieutenant recognize Beowulf as a hero? The lieutenant recognizes Beowulf as a hero because of his stature. He states, “Nor have I ever seen Out of all the men on earth, one greater Than has come with you” (Raffel ).

6. What do Beowulf’s words and actions tell about his personality? Beowulf’s words and actions tell us about his personality. “Beowulf unlocking words from deep in his breast” (Raffel ). When Beowulf speaks he is sincere. He is also truly brave “[Grendel] is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I” (Raffel ).

7. What are Beowulf’s thoughts as he waits for Grendel’s arrival? What does it reveal about the beliefs of Anglo- Saxon society? Beowulf thought that “fate will unwind as it must!” (Raffel 268). This reveals that the Anglo-Saxon had great faith in God and believed that He would help them defeat Grendel.

Part III “The Battle with Grendel”

8. Identify an example of foreshadowing in lines Lines represent foreshadowing that Grendel will die. “But fate, that night, intended Grendel to gnaw the broken bones of his last human supper” (Lines ).

9. find An Example of Personification in l and Explain Its Meaning and Significance An example of Personification in lines is “his heart laughed” (lines 289). This is personification because the heart cannot physically laugh. It’s significance is that Grendel finds joy in killing and hurting people.

10. Why does beowulf wait, allowing Grendel to kill one of the Geats, before he attacks Grendel? Beowulf wanted to lure Grendel with a false sense of security that would later be destroyed. When Grendel walked in Herot and tore apart the first Geat, he had this sense of strength and was extremely surprised that the next Geat he picked up, Beowulf, was fighting back. The sneak attack tactic came to aid Beowulf in his battle with Grendel.

11. Describe the Battle Between Beowulf and Grendel. Grendel walked to Herot like he did every night and saw the sleeping warriors. He tore apart and ate one Geat but when he took the next one, Beowulf, he fought back. Grendel was instantly scared and wanted to flee. Beowulf stopped Grendel from escaping and trapped him. The entire hall shook as Beowulf attacked Grendel with his bare hands. Grendel soon found that his power was lost and he was twisted in pain as Beowulf emerged the victor. Beowulf broke off Grendel’s arm and hung it in the hall as a reminder of the brilliant victory and the death of Grendel.

12. Why can’t the other warriors come to Beowulf’s aid? The other warriors can’t come to Beowulf’s aid because they were all asleep during the beginning of the battle and once they woke up, they realized that their weapons are ineffective towards Grendel (Lines ).

13. How Does Beowulf Wound Grendel? Beowulf wounds Grendel by ripping out his arm (Lines ).

14. During the battle between beowulf and grendel, the reader learns Grendel’s thoughts and feelings. How does hearing about his fears and feelings affect your impression of the monster? By hearing about Grendel’s fears and feelings, the audience’s impression of the monster changes because it makes us realizes that Grendel is mortal just like us (humans). He too has many fears, such as death.

Part IV “The battle with Grendel’s mother”

15. describe the battle between beowulf and grendel’s mother The battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother took place under the lake, inside an underwater hall that she had dragged him to. During the fight, there were many other monsters/creatures watching this battle. Beowulf found a sword on the wall of the hall, and used that to kill her by beheading her.

16. Identify an example of personification in lines and explain why it is fitting. An example of personification in lines is “iron sang it’s fierce song” (Raffel 449). This is fitting because iron cannot sing.

17. How does beowulf defeat her? this is an example of what literary device? Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother by cutting her head off with the sword. This is an example of irony since Grendel’s mother was the one who started the battle, expecting to win, yet she was the one who was defeated.

18. what does Beowulf do before he swims back to land? What do Hrothgar and the other warriors think has happened? Beowulf cuts the head off of Grendel’s corpse and takes it back to land. Hrothgar and the other warriors leave and are afraid because they think Beowulf is dead because they see blood rise to the top of the lake.

19. identify an allusion in lines In lines , the Bible is being alluded to. This is because everyone believed Beowulf to be dead, just as everyone believed Jesus to be dead after he his crucifixion.

20. What does beowulf leave behind in the lake and what does he take with him? WHat does this reveal about his character. Beowulf leaves behind all the treasure that Grendel’s mother and all the other creatures of the swamp have stolen. He takes the hilt of the sword and Grendel’s head. This reveals that he is looking for glory and not riches.