Beowulf Quiz

Name: ____________________ Period: Date:

Circle the letter of the correct response. (2 pts)

1. What were the basic virtues prized by the Anglo-Saxons?

A. Wealth and knowledge were the prized virtues.
B. Strength, courage, bravery, and generosity were prized by the Anglo-Saxons.
C. The Anglo-Saxons prized loyalty, industriousness, and bravery.
D. Strength and kindness were virtues prized by the Anglo-Saxons

2. Describe what transpired in the mead hall to evoke the anger of the monster.
A. Hrothgar used Grendel's belongings in the construction of the hall.
B. The monster dwelling down in the darkness is angered by the music in the hall, by the song of
the poet retelling the history of the Danes, and by the sounds of rejoicing.
C. The Danes bragged that they were stronger than Grendel.
D. The poet was telling the stories of the defeats of Grendel, and the monster was angered by the
Danes' laughing at his misfortune.

3. What is Grendel's lineage?

A. Grendel is described as being spawned in slime by two of the monsters who were descendants
of the Biblical character, Cain, who was banished from God for committing the murder of his
brother, Abel.
B. Grendel was a direct descendant of the beasts of the devil, Gnaumat and Herot.
C. Grendel was a descendant of the monster of Loki.
D. The Chimera mated with a monster named Herot, giving birth to Grendel (thus thereason for
Hrothgar's naming the hall Herot Hall since Grendel lived below)

4. What is a scop?
a) a poet b) a ship
c) a type of necklace d) a weapon

5. Who is the great Dane king set up as an example to all others?

a) Beowulf b) Scyld Scefing
c) Hygelac d) Hrothgar

6. What does Hrothgar build?

a) Herot b) fen
c) Hrunting d) Geatland

7. How many Danes did Grendel kill the first night he attacked the mead-hall?
a) 2 b) 7
c) 14 d) 30

8. Where is Beowulf from?

a) Angle-Land b) Denmark
c) Geatland d) Herot
9. How did Hrothgar know of Beowulf?
a) Beowulf had saved Hrothgar’s daughter from a dragon
b) Hrothgar had done a favor for Beowulf’s father
c) Hrothgar was Beowulf’s uncle
d) A scop had written a poem about Beowulf that made him famous

10. What jealous character taunts Beowulf during the festivities in Herot?
a) Aeschere b) Hrothulf
c) Offa d) Unferth

11. Who does Beowulf swim against in his youth?

a) Hrothgar b) Wiglaf
c) Breca d) Unferth

12. What does Beowulf use to defeat Grendel?

a) sword b) spear
c) strength/power of good d) foul language

13. What is the second creature to attack the great hall?

a) Grendel reborn b) firedrake
c) four-headed dragon d) Grendel’s mother

14. Who was the only one of Beowulf's retainers that didn't run away when he fought the dragon?
a)Heardred b)Hrethen
c)Brecca d) Wiglaf

15. Who takes the throne after Beowulf?

a) Hygelac b) Hardred
c) Hygd d) Wiglaf

Choose at least two aspects of “the hero’s journey” and explain how they relate to the epic
poem Beowulf. Your response should be at least one well structured paragraph. (5 points)

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