Reviewing the TEST

THINGS TO KNOW FOR THE BEOWULF TEST:

Texts: "The Death of Conchobhar", "Branwen, Daughter of Llyr", "The Seafarer", "The Wanderer", "The Battle of Maldoon" and Beowulf

Characters:
Hrothgar
Grendal
Beowulf
Shield Sheafson
Wulfgar
Ecgtheow
Hildeburg
Unferth
Siegmund
Hygelac
Wealtheow
Finn
Hengest
Heremod
Modthyrth
Aeschere
Freawaru
Eofor

SYMBOLS: Heorot, the fiery lake, Grendal, the dragon, Hrunting, the giant's sword, 1-2 others of your choosing.

Allusions: Cain, Christ

Themes: Pride, The Cycle of Violence, The Role of Women, The Role of Kings and Warriors, Christianity vs Paganism, Exile, Wergild and Wyrd, Kin Killing

Define and give 3-4 examples of Litotes, Kenning, Appositive, Flytes, Epic Boasts

Be able to explain the following digressions and how the digression reinforces a major theme and moves the story forward:  The Swedes-Geats Conflict, Sigemund the Dragon Slayer, Hygelac's Raid against the Friscians, Heremod and Modthyrth.

Structures: 3-part structure, 2-part structure, parallelism

You might also want to know the answers to the following questions:

1. Describe Heorot
2. What is important about the descriptions of Shield Sheafson?  What was his childhood like? What was has burial like?
3. Discuss the manner in which Beowulf addresses the sentinel guarding the coast?  What is odd about it?
4. Give two reasons Beowulf comes to Denmark.
5. Why does Grendal attack Heorot?
6. How is Heorot symbolized before Grendal’s coming?
7. How long has Heorot remained empty?
8. What is the significance of Grendal being descended from Cain?
9. Give four examples of Kennings in the story.
10. Give four examples of Alliteration in the story.
11. Discuss wergild and how it has worked so far in the story.
12. Discuss how the following themes have appeared in the story: Loyalty, Reputation, good vs. evil, Christianity vs. Paganism, role of women, role of Kings, role of the Warrior, Beowulf as a anti-war poem.  Give examples of scenes that back up each

14.  How does Beowulf become king?

15.  Who are the Geats sworn enemies?

16.  What are some of Beowulf’s heroic exploits after Grendel and before the dragon?
17.  How does Pride get the best of Beowulf?
18. Which of Hygelac’s sons was killed by his brother?  What theme does this reinforced?
19. How does the role of the warrior vs. the role of the king work in these pages?
20. What purpose does the comparison between Beowulf and Siegmund serve? The comparison between Beowulf and Hermod?
21. Why is the story of Finn included just before Welthow appears?
22. Describe the lake.
23. What does Hrothgar warn Beowulf about in his speech?

24.  Why are their ancestors so important to the warriors in Beowulf?

25.   Identify and discuss the Christian influences on the poem.