Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature: Beowulf Answers

To make an inference correctly, a reader should

Read the passage from Beowulf.From where he crouched at the king's feet,Unferth, a son of Ecglaf’s, spokecontrary words. Beowulf’s coming,his sea-braving, made him sick with envy:he could not brook or abide the factthat anyone else alive under heavenmight enjoy greater regard than he did:

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.

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

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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!

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:

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

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.

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

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 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.