Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature: Beowulf Answers

AlliterationDevelopmentInferenceRepetition

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

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

Read Anja’s inference about Hrothgar.Despite Grendel’s success in killing Hrothgar’s men, Hrothgar’s faith in God remained unshaken.

Read the passage from Beowulf.The hero arose, surrounded closelyby his powerful thanes. A party remainedunder orders to keep watch on the arms;the rest proceeded, led by their princeunder Heorot’s roof.And standing on the hearthin webbed links that the smith had woven,the fine-forged mesh of his gleaming mail-shirt,resolute in his helmet, Beowulf spoke:

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.

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.

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."

To make an inference correctly, a reader should

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.