Literature Notes

Beowulf
1. Beowulf – Anglo-Saxon word elements: (actually a kenning)
• beo – “bee” and wulf – “wolf”
• literally bee-wolf, after a bear's fondness for honey and its plundering of bee-hives.

2. Beowulf was the first ____________poem in the English language. (Others include: The Iliad,
The Odyssey).

3. Beowulf was composed between _______ and _______ AD the author is unknown but was
________________ not pagan.
• The poem examines universal themes: good and evil, life and death

4. The setting is
• Denmark and _________________ ( what is now southern Sweden)
• _______________ the Mead Hall of King Hrothgar

5. Two people groups in Beowulf the _____________ and the ____________.

6. Characters:
• Beowulf
• Grendel
• Grendel’s mother
• Hrothgar
• The fire dragon
• Wiglaf

7. Epic - extended narrative poem recounting travels, adventures, and heroism and written in a high style
• Hero of ______________________or high position
• Hero’s character traits reflect important ______________ of society
• Hero performs courageous or ____________________ deeds
• The actions of the hero determine the _______________ of a nation
• The _______________ often involves more than one nation
• The poem reflects timeless values such as ________________ and
__________________.