BEOWULF Take Home Test DUE AT THE END OF CLASS ON THURSDAY
BEOWULF Unit Test = 200 pointsAnswer the following questions in complete paragraphs; be sure to include examples for each question and quotations as indicated with appropriate citation after each quotation. You will need nine quotations.
Ex. “I ended his reign, avenged his crime” (Raffel 84).
YOU MUST HAVE A WORKS CITED (WORTH 10 POINTS) -- SEE BEOWULF UNIT PLAN ON THIS BLOG PAGE
1. Literary scholars contend that Beowulf is the quintessential good vs. evil story.
Explain how the poem depicts good vs. evil by citing at least three examples. You must have THREE QUOTATIONS (one for each example); also, make sure your “argument” is clearly written and supported by evidence from the story.
60 points
Grendel vs. Beowulf
In chapter 11 the king wanted Grendel to be taken down and he knew the one guy that could do it. That guy is Beowulf. The king asked Beowulf if he could kill Grendel. Beowulf is a hero and he is not going to back down from a challenge. So Beowulf accepted the challenge. Grendel burst into Heroet and he ripped the door straight from its hinges. He saw beowulf and he went for him first. When he went down to pick him up Beowulf grabbed his arm and Grendal never felt so much strength in his life before he realized then he was in a hole fighting against Beowulf. "Grendels one thought was to run from beowulf, flle back to his marsh and hide there." (pg 34) right when i read this in the book I knew that Beowulf was going to beat Grendel in the fight. And that is what he did. When he grasped his arm he ripped it right out of the socket. Once all of the townspeople found out that Beowulf had defeated Grendel they all were happy and cheerful. "The victory, for the proof, hanging high from the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster's Arm, claw, and shoulder and all." (pg 37)All the people of Danes had visual proof that Beowulf killed Grendel. Grendel went back into his swamp to die in his last few days before desended into hell.
Beowulf Vs. Grendels Mother
In the beginning of chapter 19 Grendels Mother was looking for revenge for killing her son Grendel. She came into the hall that the men were all sleeping and she grabbed Hrothgars trusted adviser, Aeschere. She went down the hall and she was gone. Beowulf couldn't stop her because he was in different sleeping quarters. Hrothgar told Beowulf what had happened and now Beowulf wants to go and kill Grendels Mother. She retreated in a magical place where she keeps her lair. The water burns and the bottom of the lake has never been reached. Still Beowulf is determined to go down their and kill her. On the way to the lake Beowulf and his soliders discover Aeshere's head on the ground this just makes Beowulf angrier. Before Beowulf goes down to hell Unferth gives him a nobel sword that has never lost in battle. Beowulf then swims down to the bottom of the lake and Grendels mother smells him coming she grabs him and throws him into court with all of these sea monsters. They are all biting and clawing at his skin but not one of them can penatrate his skin. Beowulf takes a swing with Unferths sword at Grendels Mom but it didn't do anything. The water has mystical powers that if you bring anything down from Earth it doesn't have an affect in hell. But then he noticed a Giant sword on the wall. " Then he saw, hangingon the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length. He drew it from its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, and then, savage, now, angry and desperate, lifted it high over his head an struck with all the stregth he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through, broke bones and all. Her body fell to the floor, lifless, the sword was wet with her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight." (pg 68) Up on Earth all the Danes saw the blood come to the top of the water and thought that their beloved hero was dead and they went home but Beowulfs kingsmen stayed their and waited. Back down at the bottom of the lake Beowulf went over to Grendels body and cut of his head he also cut off Grendels moms head and then he swam to the top of the water and the kingsmen rejoiced that he was still alive.
Beowulf vs. The dragon
Now that Beowulf is getting older he is not as strong but he is still willing to fight for his country and for what he believs is right. The dragon is beneath the earth guarding buried treasure and it has been doing it for the past 300 years. He has been doing so because a theive stole a gem covered goblet. Now since it is missing the dragon is looking for it and he is coming out at night and breathing fire on peoples homes and towns. His next target was Beowulfs house. He blew fire on it and burned it down right to the ground. Beowulf was stunned and wondered why he deserved this. He then assembled 11 men to go and fight this Dragon. When they got to its hole it came out and Beowulf didn't have as much strenght as he did when he was younger. He swung his sword as hard as he could and didn't even pierce the scales. When the 11 men saw this they all ran away. Except for 1. That mans name was Wiglaf. Beowulf takes another swing at the Dragons Head with the sword but it snaps and half and the dragon got a bite right on the back of his neck. He stabbed the dragon in the flank. It was a fatal blow. Beowulf then realized that the dragons was venoumus and that he is dying. " Our lord s dead, leader of the people the dragon killed him, but the beast is dead, too cut in half by a daggar; Beowulfs enemy sleeps in its blood. No sword could pierce its skin, wound that monster. Wiglaf is sitting in mourning close to beowulf's body." (Pg 118)
2. How would you describe Beowulf’s attitude toward life – his beliefs and values? You must have TWO QUOTATIONS cited correctly to support your opinion.
40 points
Beowulf had a lot of strong beliefs and values. He had pride for his country. Every time a situation that came up and something needed to be taken care of Beowulf would stand up to the challenge and he would fight against whatever it was no matter how big/powerful. " That might protector of men meant to hold the monster till itsl ife leaped out, knowing the fiend was no use to anyone in denmark." (pg 36) this show how he is the PEOPLE PROTECTOR. He was a legacy. The Danes see Beowulf as a legacy since he defeated 3 of the strongest things put on teh Earth. All 3 of them single-handedly. He put other people in his country before himself. He kind of reminds me of jesus. He sacraficed his body, his blood, his flesh all for the people around him. "This bloody battle, stand when the fighting is done. No one else could do what i mean to here no man bu me could hope to defeat this monster." (pg 104) This shows that he is everyones hero/savior. He did all what he did for the people of his country. That just shows how he would put anyone in his country in front of himself. THIS IS A HUGE HERO TRAIT!!!!! Believes he was put on earth to be gods right arm. He believes that god wants him to take down these evil people and thats why he think he was put on this Earth. He believes in realtionships between his troops and him this shows that he wants his army to be like a family so that they fight like 1 and are a good army. When Beowulf would defeat somone or somthing they always had partys and they would exchange gifts this shows that they value courage when people go in battle. He believes in getting honored for what he has done.
I just listed a lot of things that beowulf believes in and values. i hope thats okay!:)
3. Is Beowulf a braggart or is he honest? Is he guilty of hubris? State your opinion and support with specific examples and ONE QUOTATION cited correctly.
30 points
-
I believe that Beowulf is a true hero because he has the hero qualities that i believe what makes up a hero. He is strong, Confiedent, brave, and doesn't back down on a fight or challenge."Grendel is no braver, no stronger, than i am! i could kill him with my sword; i shall note easy as it would be. this fiend is a bold and famous fighter, but his claws and teeth scratching at my shield , his clumsy fists beating at my sword blade, would be helpless. i will meet him with my hands empty--unless his heart fails him." (pg. 31-32) This quote just tells me how he is a true hero and believes in himself and has a lot of confidence which is good to be when your a hero.
" No one strange to this land has ever been granted what i've given you, No one in all my years of rule. Make this best of all mead-halls yours, and then keep it free of evil, Fight with glory in your heart! Purge Herot and your ship will sail home with its treasures holds full!" (Pg 30) When Herot asked Beowolf if he could take down Grendel, Beowolf didn't back down from the challenge he was gladly to take him down and kill him. When he had his encounter with Grendel. Grendal was really confident going into the fight but once he realized how strong Beowulf had his grip on his arm. Quickly after he grabbed his arm he ripped it clearly off the socket. Then he eventually killed and defeated Grendal. He took the arm back to Hrothgar as a medal or a trophy that he killed Grendal. All the people danced around it and were in great cheer! Then he went down to hell and he found Grendels moms he brought a sword that he got from Unferth. It was Unferths dad's and that shows that he really has changed from the beginning of the book since now he is doing stuff for his country and just not for himself. He couldn't use the sword in hell because anything you brought from earth or the good side was useless in hell. I defiantly think that Beowulf is seen as a Hero. Not a braggert.
60 points
For my 3 themes i'm going to use Loyalty, Couragous, and leadership.
Beowulf is a really loyal guy. He does stuff that normal people wouldn't do for their countries. For example when he fights for his country in my eyes that is seen as one of the most respectful things you can do because your risking your life everyday for your country. He is loyal because he fights Grendel, Grendels mom and the dragon I was surprised when Wiglaf stayed with Beowulf as he fought the Dragon he was the only one to stay witch showed he was the most loyal to Beowulf. When Beowulf does something he doesn't back out he goes through with his actions. This is another hero trait. Much of Beowulf is devoted to being like the Germanic heroic code, which values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, and political skill in kings. This had a big deal to do with the book because Beowulf was both of things and he defiantly fits the germanic hero code. " The monster came quickly towards him, pouring out fire and smoke, hurrying to its fate. Flames beat at the iron shield, and for a time it held, protected Beowulf as he'd planned; then it began to melt, adn for the first time in his life that famous prince fought with fate against him, with glory denied him. He knew it, but he raised his sword and struck at the dragons scaly hide. The ancient Blade broke, bit into the monster's skin, drew blood, but cracked and failed him before it went deep enough helped him less then needed." (pg 105)
Another Theme i used in Beowulf is Courage. It takes a lot of courage never to back down from a challenge or a fight and beowulf never did. I think he is portrayed as the most couragous person of his time. No matter how old or how strong he was he never gave up and he never backed down from a challenge. He put his country and their men before himself."And now the youth was to enter the line of battle with his lord, his first time to be tested as a fighter. His spirit did not break and the ancestral blade would keep its edge, as the dragon discovered 8as soon as they came together in the combat. "(pg. 107-108) The battle with the dragon is Beowulf's last courageous deed, but for Wiglaf, it is only the first test of his courage. Unlike the other Geat warriors, who fled in fear when Beowulf needed them most, Wiglaf will pass this test. He showed a lot of courage when he stayed their when everyone left to be their in the Beowulfs last seconds of life.
My 3rd theme is leadership/hero. I see Beowulf as a hero and a leader. Every battle that he has he leads his army and his men. Beowulf shows me how he isn't afraid of anything and will face up to anything. He has the traits of a leader and a hero. He is confiedent, Strong, brave, couragous, and a good role model. He is the leader of his country and all the people look up to him and respect him. I found it hard to believe that all of this soilders left him when he went and fought the dragon. Because they all look up to him as if he is god and then they all abanded him when they went to battle. That is just like turning your back on god witch i don't think that is right. " The danes shook with terror. Down the aisles the battle swept, angry and wild. Herot trembled, wonderfully built to withstand teh blows the struggling great bodies beating at its beautiful walls."(pg 34-35) This is how the people feel without Beowulf their. He is kind of like the whole towns mother he takes care of them and protects them from danger.
Raffel, Burton, Trans.BEOWULF.NY:Singnet Classic, 1963.
