Beowulf Context

Select the group of words that accurately completes the following statement:

Grendel's lair is described as _____; in _____, Herot is described as _____.

• solid; contrast; impermanent

• heavenly; comparison; hellish

• peaceful; comparison; chaotic

• hellish; contrast; bright

Old epics were often sung with the accompaniment of a harp. Strong rhythm is a prominent feature. In Beowulf, the lines have four stresses, which are often divided by a pause, or a...

• alliteration.

• consonant.

• caesura.

• kenning.

Why does Beowulf allow one of his followers to be taken by Grendel before he attacks him?

• Beowulf is scared out of his wits when he actually sees Grendel.

• Beowulf wants to lull Grendel into a false sense of complacency to catch him off guard.

• Beowulf is waiting for the follower to fight back to distract Grendel.

• Grendel moved so swiftly through the cloudy night.

The battle with Grendel occurs...

• as soon as Beowulf is finished his boast.

• after the banquet and Hrothgar and his men leave.

• while Beowulf reiterates his desire to fight without his sword.

• before the banquet and Beowulf and his men are stripped of their swords.

"Grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper" (Which best identifies line 270?)

• kenning

• caesura

• haiku

• limerick

Which does NOT reinforce the idea of Grendel as a force for evil?

• He had visited Hrothgar's Home before, knew the way--

• Gleamed in the darkness, burned with a gruesome Light.

• Intended to tear the life from those bodies

• With the thought of food and the feasting his belly Would soon know.

When Higlac's follower puts that tight grip on the shepherd of evil, what was Grendel's first thought?

• kick

• scream

• fight

• run

What does writhing mean in context? "...his claws had been caught, he was trapped. That trip to Herot was a miserable journey for the writhing monster!"

• unsuccessful

• twisting, squirming in pain

• running away terrified

• hapless, hopeless, joyless

Anglo-Saxons were skillful builders and craftsmen with a love for beauty. "Hrothgar's wise men had fashioned Herot to stand forever; only ____ ... could shatter what such skill had put together..."

• a magnificent fight of this sort

• thunder and lightning

• battering rams

• fire

"Screams of the Almighty's enemy sang In the darkness,...." What does the underlined words signify?

• a kenning referring to Grendel

• a kenning referring to Beowulf

• a caesura to make an emphasis here about Grendel

• a caesura signifying a pause for impact