Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature: Beowulf Answers

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.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."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!

To make an inference correctly, a reader should

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.

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."

Read the passage from Beowulf.Wealhtheow came in,Hrothgar’s queen, observing the courtesies.Adorned in her gold, she graciously salutedthe men in hall, then handed the cupfirst to Hrothgar, their homeland’s guardian,urging him to drink deep and enjoy itbecause he was dear to them. And he drank it downlike the warlord he was, with festive cheer.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.With measured words she welcomed the Geatand thanked God for granting her wishthat a deliverer she could believe in would arriveto ease their afflictions.

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

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:

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

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?