Beowulf Quiz Sections 1-3

Who was Shield Sheafson?

• A famous ancestor of the Shieldings (aka the Danes).

• A warrior who sailed around the world.

• A descendant of Cain.

• Beowulf's father

Answer explanation

Oft Scyld Scefng || sceaþena þreatum,

monegum mægþum || meodosetla ofteah,

egsode eorlas.

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Who is Hrothgar?

• He is the captain of Beowulf's ship?

• He is the current king of the Shieldings/Danes

• He has been attacking Heorot for 12 winters.

• He is Beowulf's father.

Answer explanation

He is the king of Denmark and the founder of Heorot.

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What qualities does Heorot, the mead hall, best represent?

• Greed and corruption.

• Fear and awe of God.

• Social behavior and goodness.

• Oppression and isolation.

Answer explanation

The demon, Grendel, is jealous of these qualities, which he cannot possess.

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Why does Grendel attack Heorot?

• The Shieldings killed his mother.

• Heorot was built on his swamp.

• The Shieldings threatened his life.

• He hates the talking, music, and song there.

Answer explanation

Grendel is jealous and attacks Heorot nightly for twelve years.

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Who is Grendel descended from?

• Satan

• Poseidon

• Cain

• Abel

Answer explanation

In the Abrahamic religions, Cain is considered the first murderer.

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What is Beowulf's tribe?

• Shieldings

• Geats

• Finns

• Frisians

Answer explanation

The Geats hail from Götaland, now part of Sweden. They may be the same or closely related to the infamous Goths.

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Which epic characteristic is shown when Beowulf and his men present themselves to Hrothgar in their armor.

• Ceremonialism

• Universal Themes

• In Media Res

• Superhuman Traits

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What is not something Beowulf lists when he's listing why he is qualified to fight Grendel?

• Killing five beasts.

• Raiding a troll's nest.

• Killing sea-brutes.

• Driving gorgons off the Earth.

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Beowulf's statement of, "Whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgement of God," is an example of which concept?

• Flyting

• Weregild

• Wyrd

• Comitatus

Answer explanation

Wyrd can also be translated as fate or luck.

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What incident does Unferth use to embarrass Beowulf?

• When Beowulf lost a swimming contest.

• When Beowulf lost an archery contest.

• When Beowulf couldn't deadlift a tree.

• When Beowulf came last in the Broad Street Run.

Answer explanation

Might also have been translated as a rowing competition.

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