English Literature Quiz: Beowulf

Grendel is described as the descendant of Cain in the epic poem "Beowulf." In the Bible, Cain is the eldest son of Adam and Eve, who committed the first murder by killing his brother Abel out of jealousy. As a result, he was cursed by God and became a wanderer. In "Beowulf," Grendel is portrayed as a monstrous and evil creature, banished and cursed by God just like his ancestor Cain. This connection between Grendel and Cain highlights the theme of ancestral guilt and the consequences of one's actions passed down through generations.

The statement is suggesting that Grendel's abode, referred to as his mere, resembles a vision of hell on earth. This implies that Grendel's dwelling is extremely unpleasant and torturous, resembling the horrors typically associated with hell. Therefore, the correct answer is "True."

The statement suggests that Hrothgar helped Beowulf's father in the past, and as a result, Beowulf feels obligated to help Hrothgar. This implies a sense of loyalty and gratitude between the two characters, which is why Beowulf chooses to assist Hrothgar.

Heremod is the correct answer because he is described as a king who brought little joy to the Danish people, only death and destruction. This suggests that he ruled with cruelty and violence, causing suffering and devastation. His actions and reign were not beneficial or positive for the Danish people, leading to a negative perception of him.

The statement is false because Beowulf's people do not live to enjoy the dragon's treasure. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf defeats the dragon but is fatally wounded in the process. After his death, the dragon's treasure is buried with him, and there is no mention of his people benefiting from it.

The correct answer is "Lament of the Last Survivor" because the section of Beowulf mentioned in the question is likely about the last survivor or the last person left after a battle or event. The term "last survivor" implies that all the other warriors or fighters have perished, which aligns with the theme of lament or sorrow.

The Beowulf-poet is referring to wergild when he says that Grendel refuses to "pay the death price". Wergild was a concept in Anglo-Saxon society where a person who caused harm or death to another person had to pay a compensation to the victim's family or clan. This payment was seen as a way to restore balance and avoid further bloodshed or feuds. Grendel's refusal to pay wergild indicates his defiance and disregard for the social norms and values of the society.

The watchman on the wall, the Shieldings' lookout is the first of the Danes to recognize Beowulf for what he is. This suggests that the watchman is observant and knowledgeable about the people in their community. They are able to see through Beowulf's appearance and recognize his true identity or purpose. This implies that the watchman plays an important role in protecting the Shieldings and is vigilant in identifying potential threats or allies.

The correct answer is Naeling. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf faces a dragon in a battle. He initially attempts to fight the dragon with his trusted sword, Naeling, but it fails him. This leads to Beowulf's eventual defeat and death.

Wiglaf is a member of the Geoguth group.