Name _______________________ Date _________________ block _____

Beowulf Test Answer Document

Instructions:
1. Follow the prompts for each section of the test.
2. Allow the boxes to expand as you fill them with information.
3. You should find examples of these epic characteristics throughout the text; do not focus on only one part of the three sections.
4. Where it asks for explanations, provide 2-3 strong, analytical sentences to respond.
5. Refer to the rubric for grading parameters.
6. Be aware of the time.

Paganism Textual Evidence

Copy/Paste
Textual Evidence
And 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.

Line
numbe
r

Explain how this relates to Pagan characteristics.

What is it describing? Be specific.

63-66

The pagans had a strong belief in fate and that fate controlled everything they did. Fate was the force you couldnt fight
If something was meant to be, it was going to happen. Beowulf realized in this passage that this mystical force might not
be on his side when his sword did not strike.

Youre the last of our farflung family.

195 Fate has swept our race
away
Taken warriors in their strength
and led them
To the death that was waiting.
And now I follow them
3. He would sleep in the fire,
soon. His soul
Left his flesh, flew to glory.

78-81

Pagans believed in the idea of fate and that it controlled everything no matter what you did. Beowulf believed that it was
fate, the force that no one could control, was the reason that all of his race had died. No matter what they did, they
couldnt escape what was destined for them.

200-201

Pagans believed in the idea of a released soul and they also would burn the bodies of their fallen warriors.

4. I am old, now,
But I will fight again, seek fame
still,
If the dragon hiding in his tower
dares
To face me.

3-5

In paganism, it was important to have glory rather than money. A man was looked at the deeds he accomplished instead
of the wealth that he accumulated. Even though Beowulf was old, he still desired to have that fame that cam with slaying
a beast because people were admired for their courage and bravery.

131-134

Pagans believed in many different Gods and demons. They would pray to just one god, but several different ones each
who controlled something significant. Before going into battle they may pray to Thor the god of war or Odin the all
father who was the god of Gods. They would pray too many of these gods before going into battle in hopes of winning

1.
2.

1.
That these swords and armor
were each for us all!
Then he ran to his king, crying
encouragement

As he dove through the dragons

deadly fumes.

the battle into their favor. They also would pray to these gods when facing deadly beasts such as dragons.

5.

Christianity Textual Evidence

Line
numbe
r

Copy/Paste
Textual Evidence
And we must go to him, while
angry
Flames burn at his flesh, help
Our glorious king! By almighty
God,

Explain how this relates to Christianity.

What is it describing? Be specific.

119-121

This passage references the Christian being, God, when Wiglaf calls on him to help his fallen King. His power is thought
to be supreme which is why warriors would call upon him to help in their battles.

For this, this gold, these jewels, I

thank
Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of
the Earth

175-176

In Christian religion, those who followed this faith believed in God. He worshipped was an almighty being who
controlled all and was the lord of heaven. All life had been descended from him which is why the passage calls him,
Father with a capital F.

For a dwelling in some distant

place a journey
Into darkness that all men must
make, as death
Ends their brief hours on earth.

79-81

Christians believed in afterlife when you died your soul will either go to heaven or hell. This passage shows that
Beowulf believed in some form of life after he had passed on.

177

This passage refers to, God, the Christian being from which all life descended when it says His with a capital H.
God was though top be a kind but just being who believed in a philosophy of love. Thats why the passage says His
grace because everything, your personality and you, was thought to have come from this kind deity.
Christians believed that humans had souls and that when they died these souls were either sent to hell if they had been
sinful during their life or to haven of they had faithfully served the lord God throughout their life. In this passage,
Beowulfs soul is referenced even though it doesnt say where it goes. It also talks about this body begin burned but his
oul leaves his body and goes elsewhere like in the Christian faith when someone passes on.

1.

2.
3. For all of this, that His
grace has given me,
He would sleep in the fire, soon.
His soul
Left his flesh, flew to glory.

4.

200-201

Anglo-Saxon Virtues
There are 9 A-S virtues - find one example of any seven of those virtues

Virtue
1. Courage

Copy/ Paste
Textual Evidence
I feel no shame, with shield and
sword
And armor, against this monster:

Line
numbe
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13-16

How does the text you chose display that virtue?

Even though Beowulf had to fight this furious beast, he had no problem fighting this beast and
he was even okay with fighting against it with his bare hands.

when he comes to me
I mean to stand, not run from his
shooting
Flames, stand till fate decides

2.
3.
4.
5.

Truth
Honor
Fidelity
Discipline

6.
7.
8.
9.

Hospitality
Self-reliance
Industriousness
Perseverance

And who are we to carry home

Our shields before weve slain his
enemy
And ours, to run back to our
homes with Beowulf
So hard-pressed here? I swear that
nothing
He ever did deserved an end
Like this, dying miserably and
alone,
Butchered by this savage beast:
we swore
That these swords and armor were
each for us all!
Then he ran to his king, crying
encouragement
As he dove through the dragons
deadly fumes.

124-133

Wiglaf was saying this before he headed into battle with his King. He was saying how much the
King had honored him and his comrades and hoe he couldnt back down in the face of danger.
He went back to help fight the dragon when everyone had ran away.

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 monsters skin, drew blood,
but cracked
And failed him before it went
deep enough, helped him

64-69

Beowulf was fighting the dragon and even though he his weapons werent having much of an
effect on the dragon he still continued to fight against his beast.

Kennings

Copy/Paste the Kenning

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Great prince
Gleaming Blade
savage beast
Young Warrior
Fire-spitting Terror
Our father
The Beast
Glorious King

Line
number
56
54
130
139
160
176
54
121

Who AND what is it describing?

Beowulf heading into battle with the dragon.
Beowulfs ancient sword a he fights the dragon.
Wiglaf talking about the dragon.
Wiglaf as he confronts the dragon.
The dragon after the battle.
Beowulf talking to the Christian God
The dragon as he approaches Beowulf.
Wiglaf speaking about how he wants to protect Veowulf

Alliteration
Copy/Paste fifteen examples of alliteration. There should be three instances within two lines of text to form a strong example of alliteration.
Then he said farewell to his followers,
Each in his turn, for the last time:
1.
Limb from limb. But his breath will be burning
Hot, poison will pour from his tongue.
2.
Flames, stand till fate decides
Which of us wins. My heart is firm,
3.
We shall see, soon, who will survive
This bloody battle, stand when the fighting
4.
To stand, a streaming current of fire
And smoke that blocked all passage. And the Geats
5.
Were ready, each set on slaughter. The Geats
Great prince stood firm, unmoving, prepared
6.
7. Behind his high shield, waiting in his shining
Armor. The monster came quickly toward him
Pouring out fire and smoke, hurrying
To its fate. Flames beat at the iron
8.
And for the first time in his life that famous prince
Fought with fate against him, with glory
9.
10. The ancient blade broke, bit into
The monsters skin, drew blood, but cracked
For a dwelling in some distant place a journey
Into darkness that all men must make, as death

11.
And Wiglaf, his heart heavy, uttered
The kind of words his comrades deserved:
12.
For soldiers, for men. He meant to kill
This monster himself, our mighty king,
13.
As he could, did as the dying Beowulf
Asked, entered the inner darkness
14.
And bracelets, rusty old helmets, beautifully
Made but rotting with not hands to rub
15.
Had finished the fire-spitting terror
That once protected tower and treasures
16.

Multiple Choice
Write the letter: please make it legible to remove any doubt of
your answer choice. The questions can be found at the end of
the text.
1. D
2. B
3. D
4. C
5. C

Vocabulary
Correctly use all 7 words in any of the three summary portions of the test. You only
need to use the word once, but you must complete all three summaries. This is two
separate categories on the rubric.
Highlight the terms within the text.
1. Mail

2. Loathsome
3. Writhing
4. Massive
5. Solace
6. Purge
7. reparation

Summary: The Last Battle

Type your summary in the box below allowing it to expand as you type. Be sure to include information from the beginning, middle and end of the section. The
summary should be a strong, solid paragraph, but remember that too much is as bad as too little.
Beowulf was heading into his final battle ready to purge the world of a viscous evil fully aware that he might not come back. He was never afraid as a youth and
was not afraid to face the dragon even if he couldnt use armor or swords, he still wouldnt be afraid. He strode into the dragons lair ready to face the demon when
fire struck his shield. The massive creature lunged at him and they engaged in a fierce battle. Beowulf stabbed at the dragon and plunged the blade into its heart but
his sword broke against the dragons hard scaly skin. Writhing and twisting in agony the dragon came at Beowulf wildly. Beowulf was helpless against the
loathsome creature without his sword, which was broken, and his shield, which had melted from the dragons flame. Until, Wiglaf, the last warrior who stayed
behind came to help his King. With Wiglafs help, Beowulf was able to defeat the dragon but he was also mortally wounded.

Summary: The Spoils

Type your summary in the box below allowing it to expand as you type. Be sure to include information from the beginning, middle and end of the section. The
summary should be a strong, solid paragraph, but remember that too much is as bad as too little.
At the end of the battle, Beowulf told Wiglaf to bring him the spoils of their encounter with the dragon because the dragon was hoarding a pile of gold. All of the
gold and treasure was seen as a sort of reparation to Beowulf for the fearsome fight they endured along with the destruction the dragon had caused. Wiglaf grabbed
as much gold as he could carry and hurried back to his dying Kings side. With his last few words, Beowulf spoke of how proud he was of Wiglaf and that he was to
be his heir even though they werent blood related. Beowulf gave Wiglaf his crown, rings, his mail shirt, and his golden necklace. Beowulfs final wish to Wiglaf
was to help and lead his people as he departed from their world.

Summary: The Last Farewell

Type your summary in the box below allowing it to expand as you type. Be sure to include information from the beginning, middle and end of the section. The
summary should be a strong, solid paragraph, but remember that too much is as bad as too little.

All of Beowulfs entire Kingdom was in attendance at his funeral. His warriors mourned their fallen King as they had burned his body and sealed it
into a tower so sailors could see him. Buried with him were all the riches from the dragons keep. His warriors rode around him telling great stories
which was their solace as they spoke about past experiences with their fallen King. Beowulf was a humble man who ruled kindly and was going to be
missed.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Mail
Loathsome
Writhing
Massive
Solace
Purge
reparation