Beowulf Test 1 Review

Terms to know: You need to understand the meaning of the term as well as the relationship is has to the poem.

Boon
Byrny
Guerdon
In medias res
Lof
Nicor
Parley
Wergild

Places to know: Know the location and its importance in the poem.

Denmark
England
Fen/mere
Heorot
Sweden

People to know: Be sure that you know their role in the story as well as their important actions.

Beowulf
Grendel
Healfdene
Hrothgar
Hygelac
Poet
Scop
Scyld
Thane
Unferth
Wealtheow
Wulfgar

Important moments:

Grendel’s history w/Danes
Beowulf’s arrival/welcome to Heorot
Beowulf and Unferth (Breca bet)
Beowulf’s plan and his fight with Grendel
Hrothgar’s rewards
Important Quotations: You will need to know (a) who spoke the line, (b) what they are saying and who to and (c) why it is important to the poem as a whole. Each of these will be worth TEN points on the test – so make sure that you take the time to study these today!!

1. An evil spirit who dwelt in the darkness
Endured it ill that he heard each day
The din of revelry ring through the hall,
The sound of the harp and the scop’s sweet song. (11)

2. I have never laid eyes upon earl on earth
More stalwart and sturdy than one of your troop,
A hero in armor; no hall thane he
Tricked out with weapons, unless looks belie him
And noble bearing. (14)

3. Seafaring men who have voyaged to Geatland
With gifts of treasure as token of piece
Say that his hand grip has thirty men’s strength. (16)

4. If death shall call me, he’ll carry away
My gory flesh to his fen retreat
To gorge at leisure and gulp me down
Soiling the marshes with stains of blood. (17/18)

5. Seven nights you toiled in the tossing sea;
His strength was the greater, his swimming the stronger...
Therefore, I ween, worse fate shall befall,
Stout as you are in the struggle of war,
In deeds of battle, if you dare to abide
Encounter with Grendel at the coming of night. (18) **Practice**

6. Never to any man, early or late,
Since first I could brandish buckler and sword,
Have I trusted this ale-hall save only to you! (20)

7. God in His wisdom shall glory assign,
The ruling Lord, as He deems it right. (20) **Practice***




If you properly utilize this sheet as well as class notes and the study guide, this test will be rudimentary for you.