Beowulf- How Much Do You Know?

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Teacheramee

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Quizzes Created: 7 | Total Attempts: 10,583

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1/17 Questions

Where is Beowulf from?
- Herot
- Denmark
- Geatland
- England

About This Quiz

Time to check your comprehension. Answer the questions below to see how well you understood this online guide.

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2.

Who is Beowulf's father?
- Breca
- Ecgtheow
- Hrothgar
- Hygelac
Correct Answer

A. Ecgtheow

Explanation

Beowulf's father is Ecgtheow. This information is derived from the epic poem Beowulf, in which Ecgtheow is mentioned as Beowulf's father multiple times.

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3.

Who rules Geatland at the beninning of the poem?
- Hygelac
- Beowulf
- Offa
- Grendel
Correct Answer

A. Hygelac

Explanation

At the beginning of the poem, Hygelac rules Geatland. This is evident from the opening lines of the poem where it mentions that Hygelac's thane, Beowulf, has come to the aid of the Danes. This indicates that Hygelac is the ruler of the Geats and Beowulf is serving under him.

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4.

What is a scop?
- A poet
- A weapon
- A ship
- A spy glass
Correct Answer

A. A poet
5.

Who are the Scyldings?
- Swamp monsters
- Enemies of the kingdom
- Hrothgar's warriors
- Servants
Correct Answer

A. Hrothgar's warriors

Explanation

The Scyldings are referred to as Hrothgar's warriors. This implies that they are a group of fighters who are loyal to Hrothgar, the king or leader of a kingdom. The term "warriors" suggests that they are skilled in combat and play a crucial role in protecting the kingdom and serving their leader.

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6.

What is the name of Hrothgar's mead-hall?
- Herot
- Grain
- Halga
- Shield
Correct Answer

A. Herot

Explanation

Hrothgar's mead-hall is called Herot.

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7.

The first night that Grendal attacked the mead-hall, Heorot, how many Scyldings did he kill?
- Three
- Fifteen
- Twenty-two
- Thirty
Correct Answer

A. Thirty

Explanation

On the first night that Grendal attacked the mead-hall, Heorot, he killed thirty Scyldings. This information suggests that Grendal was a formidable and deadly adversary, capable of causing significant destruction and loss of life. The high number of casualties emphasizes the threat that Grendal posed to the Scyldings and sets the stage for the epic battle that follows.

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8.

What jealous character taunts Beowulf during the festivities in Herot?
- Offa
- Unferth
- Hrothgar
- Aeschere
Correct Answer

A. Unferth

Explanation

Unferth is the correct answer because he is a jealous character who taunts Beowulf during the festivities in Herot. Unferth challenges Beowulf's abilities and questions his reputation as a hero, trying to undermine him in front of others. This jealousy and taunting from Unferth adds tension to the story and showcases the internal conflicts within the characters.

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9.

In Herot, Beowulf relates the tale of how he defeated his childhood friend, Breca, in what kind of competition.
- A foot race
- A swimming race
- A wrestling match
- An eating competition
Correct Answer

A. A swimming race

Explanation

In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf recounts the story of his victory over his childhood friend, Breca, in a swimming race. Beowulf and Breca competed in a daring and dangerous race across the open sea, facing treacherous waters and sea monsters. Despite the challenges, Beowulf emerged victorious, showcasing his incredible strength and endurance. This swimming race serves as a testament to Beowulf's heroic abilities and establishes his reputation as a formidable warrior.

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10.

How does Beowulf kill Grendel?
- He runs his sword through Grendel's heart
- He doesn't because he runs away instead
- He buries an ax in Grendel's head
- He tears off Grendel's arm at the shoulder
Correct Answer

A. He tears off Grendel's arm at the shoulder

Explanation

Beowulf kills Grendel by tearing off his arm at the shoulder. This action is described in the epic poem Beowulf, where Beowulf engages in a fierce battle with Grendel in Heorot, the mead hall. During the fight, Beowulf uses his incredible strength to overpower Grendel, ultimately ripping off his arm. This act of violence leads to Grendel's eventual death.

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11.

What is Grendel's mother's name?
- Hygd
- Gretyl
- Erecca
- She is never mentioned
Correct Answer

A. She is never mentioned

Explanation

In the epic poem "Beowulf," Grendel's mother is never explicitly mentioned by name. While the poem describes Grendel as being the son of the monstrous creature, it does not provide any information about the mother's identity or name. Therefore, the correct answer is that Grendel's mother is never mentioned in the poem.

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12.

After Beowulf kills Grendel, his mother gets mad and seeks to avenge her son's death.
- True
- False
Correct Answer

A. True

Explanation

After Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel's mother becomes enraged and seeks revenge for her son's death. This is evident in the epic poem Beowulf, where Beowulf is forced to confront and defeat Grendel's mother in her underwater lair. Her actions clearly demonstrate her anger and desire for vengeance.

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13.

Who lends Beowulf a sword to fight Grendel's mother?
- Hrothgar
- Hrothgar's son
- Unferth
- Unferth's daughter
Correct Answer

A. Unferth

Explanation

Unferth lends Beowulf a sword to fight Grendel's mother. Unferth is a warrior who initially doubted Beowulf's abilities but later admires him. He offers his sword as a gesture of support and trust in Beowulf's skills. This act demonstrates the growing respect and camaraderie between the two warriors.

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14.

What happened to the sword Beowulf used to kill Grendel's mother with?
- It melts, just like ice
- It bursts into flames
- Nothing
- Beowulf decides to keep it
Correct Answer

A. It melts, just like ice

Explanation

In the epic poem Beowulf, after Beowulf kills Grendel's mother, he discovers a giant sword in her lair and uses it to slay her. However, the sword, which was forged by giants, is unable to withstand the intense heat of Grendel's blood and melts, just like ice. This signifies the immense power and supernatural nature of the creatures Beowulf encounters, as well as highlighting the temporary and fleeting nature of victory and material possessions.

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15.

How does Beowulf become King of the Geats?
- He takes the throne when Hygelac dies, because he was named as his heir
- He takes the throne when Hygelac's son dies
- He's never King of the Geats
- He overthrows Hygelac
Correct Answer

A. He takes the throne when Hygelac's son dies

Explanation

Beowulf becomes King of the Geats when Hygelac's son dies. This is because he is named as the heir to the throne, and therefore, he assumes the position of king after the death of Hygelac's son.

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16.

Why did the dragon threaten Geatland?
- A party of adventurers tried to kill it
- A golden cup was stolen from its lair
- Beowulf ceased paying its annual tribute
- Its food supply was cut off
Correct Answer

A. A golden cup was stolen from its lair

Explanation

The dragon threatened Geatland because a golden cup was stolen from its lair.

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17.

Beowulf's body was burned on a funeral pyre. What happened to his ashes?
- They were kept in an urn in the mead-hall
- They were scattered in a lake
- They were placed in the family crypt
- They were buried in a barrow on the headland of the coast
Correct Answer

A. They were buried in a barrow on the headland of the coast

Explanation

After Beowulf's body was burned on a funeral pyre, his ashes were not kept in an urn in the mead-hall or placed in the family crypt. Instead, they were buried in a barrow on the headland of the coast. This suggests that Beowulf was given a proper burial, with his ashes laid to rest in a prominent location overlooking the sea. This burial in a barrow on the headland signifies the importance and honor given to Beowulf, as barrows were often reserved for the burial of great warriors and leaders.

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