Study Guide
English 12
Mrs. Nollette
BHS
Name ______________________________________________
Class ___________
I. Review from Old English & Medieval Fact Find
1. What groups invaded England and contributed to the development of the English language?
2. Into what areas were the original Celtic inhabitants of Britain driven?
a.
b.
c.
3. What group invaded England in 597 AD? Who led them? What was his purpose?
4. When did the last successful invasion of England occur? Who led it?
5. Describe the system known as feudalism.
6. What is considered the first epic poem in British literature?
7. What was a mead hall, and why was it so important?
II. Review Beowulf introduction notes handout
8. Beowulf was passed down through what “tradition” before it was written down?
9. What were the major influences on the story of Beowulf?
a.
b.
c.
10. About when was Beowulf first written down?
11. From what modern day country does Beowulf (the character) come?
12. In what two countries does the action of Beowulf take place?
III. Review your notes on Beowulf
13. Identify and describe the following people, places, and objects (role / importance in the story
and character traits or description):
a. Beowulf
b. Hrothgar
c. Herot
d. Grendel
e. Grendel’s mother
f. Wiglaf
g. Hrunting
14. What destroys happiness in Denmark?
15. The monster Grendel was “born of Cain.” How is this an allusion?
16. What does Grendel do in the mead hall every night? How long does it stand empty?
17. Who comes to save Hrothgar from the monster? From where did he come? How many
warriors did he bring with him?
18. How does Beowulf want to fight the monster Grendel? Why?
19. Eventually Beowulf defeats the monster Grendel. Does he kill him on the spot? If not, what
happens? What does Beowulf do as a sign that he has defeated the monster?
20. What is Hrothgar’s second request of Beowulf?
21. What trophies does Beowulf take after he wins his second battle?
22. What is the literary technique of deus ex machina? Explain the examples discussed in class.
a.
b.
23. Who helps Beowulf battle the dragon?
24. How does Beowulf die?
25. As Beowulf is dying, why does he tell Wiglaf to build a tower? What other request does
Beowulf make as he is dying?
26. What does Beowulf give to Wiglaf right before he (Beowulf) dies? What is the significance
or importance of this?
27. After Beowulf dies, what happens to his body?
28. How do the Geats mourn Beowulf? What do they do with the dragon’s treasure?
29. Define “epic hero” and give three examples of how Beowulf fits that category (what are his
heroic traits?).
30. Define the following and give examples of each from the text.
Literary
Technique
kenning
Definition
Examples from Text
1.
2.
3.
alliteration
1.
2.
3.
imagery
1.
2.
caesura
1.
2.
allusion
1.
2.
!