Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature: Beowulf

Question 1

Read the passage from Beowulf.Then it was like old times in the echoing hall,proud talk and the people happy,loud and excited; until soon enoughHalfdane’s heir had to be awayto his night’s rest. He realizedthat the demon was going to descend on the hall,that he had plotted all day, from dawn-lightuntil darkness gathered again over the worldand stealthy night-shapes came stealing forthunder the cloud-murk.

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f: feasting.

Question 2

When a student studies the way the English language has evolved, the student is studying English’s

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B: development.

Question 3

Read the passage from Beowulf.Beowulf, Ecgtheow’s son, replied:"Well, friend Unferth, you have had your sayabout Breca and me. But it was mostly beerthat was doing the talking. The truth is this:when the going was heavy in those high waves,I was the strongest swimmer of all.We’d been children together and we grew updaring ourselves to outdo each other,boasting and urging each other to riskour lives on the sea.Now read Luka’s inference.Even though he’s a warrior, Beowulf often defuses the situation instead of rushing to anger and aggression.

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B: But it was mostly beer that was doing the talking.

Question 4

Read the passage from Beowulf."It bothers me to have to burden anyonewith all the grief Grendel has causedand the havoc he has wreaked upon us in Heorot,our humiliations. My household-guardare on the wane, fate sweeps them awayinto Grendel's clutches—but God can easilyhalt these raids and harrowing attacks!

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W: While reading Beowulf, the reader encounters aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture such as Christian and Pagan traditions.

Question 5

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between Old English and Modern English?

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D: Modern English was heavily influenced by the French language, and Old English is a Germanic language.

Question 6

Read the passage from Beowulf.They marched in step, hurrying on till the timbered hall rose before them, radiant with gold.Nobody on earth knew of another building like it. Majesty lodged there,its light shone over many lands.

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a: alliteration

Question 7

To make an inference correctly, a reader should

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C: provide evidence to support the inference.

Question 8

Both Old English and modern English poetry use alliteration, which is

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t: the repetition of consonant sounds.

Question 9

Read Micah’s inference about Beowulf.Beowulf does not fear death.Read the passage from Beowulf.If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day;he will glut himself on the Geats in the war-hall,swoop without fear on that flower of manhoodas on others before. Then my face won’t be thereto be covered in death: he will carry me awayas he goes to ground, gorged and bloodied;he will run gloating with my raw corpseand feed on it alone, in a cruel frenzy,fouling his moor-nest. No need thento lament for long or lay out my body: if the battle takes me, send backthis breast-webbing that Weland fashioned and Hrethel gave me, to Lord Hygelac.Fate goes ever as fate must."

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D: Fate goes ever as fate must.

Question 10

Read the passage from Beowulf.So the Helming woman went on her rounds,queenly and dignified, decked out in rings,offering the goblet to all ranks,treating the household and the assembled troopuntil it was Beowulf’s turn to take it from her hand.

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B: a cup-bearer

Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature: Beowulf Answers

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