CliffsNotes on

Beowulf

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Poem Summary

The Beowulf Poet

The Beowulf Manuscript

About Beowulf

Introduction
Beowulf as Epic
Beowulf as History
Poetic Devices in Beowulf

Summary and Analysis

Lines 1–193
Lines 194–606
Lines 607–836
Lines 837–1062
Lines 1063–1250
Lines 1251–1491
Lines 1492–1650
Lines 1651–1887
Lines 1888–2199
Lines 2200–2400
Lines 2401–2630
Lines 2631–2820
Lines 2821–3182

Character List

Character Map

Beowulf Geography

Character Analysis

Beowulf
Wiglaf
Grendel
Grendel’s Mother
Hrothgar
Unferth
Wealhtheow

Critical Essays

Major Themes in Beowulf
Major Symbols in Beowulf

Study and Homework Help

Glossary
Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

What should be his first order of business once President-elect Obama takes office?

Cutting taxes/economic recovery.
Promoting peace in Israel/Gaza.
Ending the war in Iraq.
Creating jobs/dealing with unemployment.
Addressing climate change/environmental issues.

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Study and Homework Help

Quiz

1:  What is the best guess of when the poem Beowulf was composed as a whole?

a. 50 B.C.

b. Fifth century AD

c. Eighth century AD

d. 1200 AD
2:  What is a scop?

a. A bard

b. A warrior

c. A Danish king

d. A lake
3:  The mythological character that founded Hrothgar’s kingdom was named

a. Guthlaf

b. Healfdene

c. Scyld Scefing

d. Queen Modthrytho
4:  At the first banquet, who taunts Beowulf about a swimming match with Breca?

a. Unferth

b. Wiglaf

c. Hygelac

d. Heardred
5:  What is the name of Hrothgar’s great mead-hall?

a. Heorot

b. Wergild

c. Hrunting

d. Naegling
6:  Beowulf defeats Grendel by ripping off its

a. head

b. claw

c. tongue
7:  How many men does it take to carry Grendel’s head back to the mead-hall?

a. 2

b. 4

c. 20

d. 100
8:  Grendel’s mother lives

a. in the woods

b. on an island

c. in a lake

d. in the dungeon
9:  Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother by using a giant, magical

a. sword

b. dagger

c. catapult

d. bow and arrow
10:  After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother, how long does he rule over the Geats?

a. 3 years

b. 10 years

c. 20 years

d. 50 years
11:  The fiery dragon is angry because a fugitive slave stole what from him?

a. Flagon

b. Sword

c. Ring

d. Shield
12:  Who comes to Beowulf’s aid in the dragon fight and then becomes the future Geat king?

a. Wiglaf

b. Hygelac

c. Heardred

d. Aeschere
13:  Who said the following: “Turn not to pride, O brave champion! / Your fame lives now, in one strong time./Soon in their turn sickness or war / will break your strength, or grip of fire / overwhelming wave, or sword’s swing / a thrown spear, or hateful old age. . . . "

a. Wiglaf

b. Beowulf

c. Hrothgar

d. Aeschere
14:  Who said the following: “I recall the time, when taking the mead / in the great hall, we promised our chief / who gave us these rings, these very armlets, / that we would repay him for these war-helmets, /tempered edges, if he ever needed us."

a. Wiglaf

b. Hygelac

c. Heardred



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