Analyzing Themes in Beowulf

Which of the following best describes how a reader can determine that Beowulf follows the Hero's Journey?

• It takes place a long time ago.

• The hero is described as someone greater than all other men.

• The people in the story are called Geats and Danes.

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Why does Beowulf sail with his chosen companions to Hrothgar's kingdom?

• To bring home treasures from that rich kingdom.

• To help Hrothgar by destroying a monster.

• To take over Higlac's throne.

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As an epic hero, which of the following traits does Beowulf display the MOST?

• Loyalty

• Bravery

• Humility

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From which fact can the reader infer that Beowulf is honorable?

• Beowulf refuses to use weapons because Grendel uses none.

• Higlac is Beowulf's cousin.

• Beowulf will ambush Grendel and destroy the monster.

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Which of the following is a main theme of Beowulf?

• Might makes right.

• Honesty

• Heroism

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Which is the best paraphrase of the following passage from the poem: "Hrothgar felt a strong and unending sorrow that he had no power to overcome. It affected both him and his subjects."

• The king was in agony and out of his mind because of what his people had done to him.

• Grendel was furious at the Danes, and so he inflicted great pain on the king and his people.

• Hrothgar felt an endless sorrow he couldn't get rid of.

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When Beowulf requests that he alone "May purge all evil from this hall," what does he mean by purge?

• Drive out

• Overcome

• Invite

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“He was spawned in that slime, Conceived by a pair of those monsters born Of Cain, murderous creatures banished By God, punished forever…” What is the significance of including Grendel’s family tree?

• The Anglo-Saxons valued community and the transcriber wanted to tell a biblical story

• The Anglo-Saxons valued kinship and the transcriber wanted to set up a biblical good versus evil theme

• The Anglo-Saxons valued leadership and the transcriber wanted to tell a story of a fallen leader

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How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?

• He stabs him with a sword

• He uses a magic spell

• He strangles him with his bare hands

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Who helps Beowulf during his final fight with the dragon?

• Wiglaf

• Grendel’s mother

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