Beowulf Test

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 PAGE1. 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
Good Vs Evil is depicted many times in the story. The first example is the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. The battle between them was a very good one because they were both very strong and would do anything to win. It started when Grendel tore through Heorot and broke down a door and instantly killing a soldier, the battle was on. At first Beowulf was just observing but when Gendel reached for him that was when Grendel realized just how strong Beowulf was. He tried to escape and go back to his safe swamplands. He was in shock because he could not believe that Beowulf was actually stronger than he was. “Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not, 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, seeing a soldier waiting weaponless, unafraid. Let God in his wisdom extend his hand where he wills, reward whom he chooses!”(Raffel page 33 lines 675-685). I think this quote from Beowulf shows that he is confident and is unafraid which is a good thing if being in a fight. When Beowulf beat Grendel in this fight it proved that he is very strong and should not be underestimated and it disproves Unferth by saying that he was weak and had many weaknesses.

The second example of good vs evil is when Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother. Beowulf goes basically all the way to hell to fight Grendels mother. When he reached her she tried to hurt him but could not because he had armor on. As she was dragging him along he was hitting her with his sword that Unferth gave him but even that special blade could not hurt or pierce her skin. Beowulf was doing everything possible to fight back and they were going back and forth no one taking a clear lead or having an advantage. That was until he noticed that there was a sword hanging from the wall, a weapon that could destroy anything. As soon as he got the sword he swung hard and cut her neck killing her instantly. He thought the sword was special because he thought as if God had told him that is the sword he needed and should take. “And now it was known that a monster had died but a monster still lived, and meant revenge. She’d brooded on her loss, misery had brewed in her heart, that female horror, Grendels Mother, living in the murky cold lake assigned her since Cain had killed his only brother, slain his father’s son with an angry sword.” (Raffel page 56, lines 1255-1263).

The final example of good vs evil is when Beowulf battled with the dragon. Before the fight Beowulf made sure he said good bye to all his men knowing it could be his last fight. When Beowulf challenged the dragon he came from under the ground and they started to fight. Beowulf was hitting the dragon with his sword but realized he didn’t have the strength he used to. When his men see he is in trouble and needs help they did not remain loyal and most of them ran away. All of his men ran away except one. He stayed and tried to help him defeat the dragon. Beowulf’s sword broke so then he was almost defenseless. He was bite by the dragon but after being bit he stabbed the dragon which ended up killing it. He then realized how bad the bite was and he began to bleed and at that time he knew he was going to die. He told the warrior that stayed to help him that it would be his responsibility to look after the geats and then he died. “I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.”(Raffel page 103, lines 2510-25152. 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
I think that Beowulf had a great attitude toward life. He was positive and always stood up for what he believed in. He had many different beliefs and values and he always lived his life by them and stood up for them. He believed in having pride for his country and he greatly valued his country. He also deeply believed in leaving a good legacy behind when he died. He wanted people to remember him for being a very strong, brave, and courageous man. He always tried to put other people before himself. He believed that he was god’s ‘handyman’ and thought it was his responsibility to help others. He basically dedicated his life towards helping God. “Let them beware, those who are thrust into danger, clutched at by trouble, yet can carry no solace in their hearts, cannot hope to be better! Hail to those who will rise to God, drop off their dead bodies and seek our Father’s peace!” (Raffel Page 10, lines 184-188) I liked this quote because he is telling them that god will always be there in the end. That was the part of the book when Beowulf was trying to explain to stay away from the devil and go towards God. Beowulf also greatly valued the relationship he had between his men, the relationship he had with the king, and when he was king the relationship he had with his people. He also greatly values receiving gifts because it shows their appreciation for him and it shows that he is proud and courageous. “With him, tear it from the heaped up treasure it had guarded so long. And he’d go to it alone, scorning to lead soldiers against such an enemy: he saw nothing to fear, thought nothing of the beast’s claws, or wings, or flaming jaws he had fought, before, against worse odds, had survived, been victorious, in harsher battles, beginning in Herot, Hrothgars unlucky hall.” (Raffel page 97 lines 2345- 2360). This quote shows that he will do anything and will not be afraid. He also loved being honored. He was very honored when the queen told him that she wanted her children to be just like him when they grow up. He thought that to be the highest honor possible.

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 think that Beowulf is a hero becuase he took down Grendal. Beowulf also has many hero qualities like brave, Courageous, strong, and a leader. He also showed a few signs of being a braggert like him thinking that he is the best and is better than everyone. I also think that the confidence he has is a good thing becasue it shows he is willing to do whatever it takes and fight anyone to prove he is the best. "Grendel is no braver, no stronger than i am! I could kill him with my sword; i shall not, Easy as it would be. this fiend is a bold and famous fighter, but hiss 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, seeing a soldier waiting weaponless, unafraid. Let god in his wisdom extend his hand where he wills, reward whom he chooses!" (page 31 and 32). I think that was a good example because it showed his courage to fight no matter what and his confindence that he could beat anyone. I think that by Grendal attacking him unexpectantly showed that he was afraid and that shows that Beowulf is strong and intimidating. " When we crossed the sea my comrades and I, I already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the goodwill of your people or die in battle, pressed in Grendels fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death!" (page 29). I think that example showed that he is a great leader, which is a quality of a hero because it showed his willingness to die for what he wanted to do and what he believed in and it showed that he was courageous in willing to fight Grendel. Those are the reasons i think Beowulf is a hero.
4. Choose three themes from Beowulf besides good vs. evil. Explain how they are implicated in the poem using at least one quotation for each theme -- THREE QUOTATIONS TOTAL.60 points
The first them of this poem is loyalty. Loyalty and even being disloyal is a reoccurring them throughout this poem. Beowulf was always loyal no matter what. By him being loyal it saved his country and all of his people. I think that during this time period it was a very good quality if you were very loyal. He was very loyal to his king whenever he needed help Beowulf was there to help him. Everything he did was because he knew it was the right thing to do and no other reasons. There also others in the story that were loyal too. Like Hrothgar was very loyal to Beowulf by helping Beowulf when possible and always being there for him. There were also disloyal characters. For example when Beowulf was fighting the dragon and needed help only one person stayed loyal and helped him in his final battle. Everyone else was scared and ran away. “in his far off home Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats greater and stronger tan anyone anywhere in this world heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out, Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed. None of the wise ones regretted his going, much as he was loved by the Geats: the omens were good, and they urged the adventure on.”(Raffel Page 11, lines 195-205). This quote expresses the love that everyone had for Beowulf and that they were going to support him.
The second them of the story is legacy. Legacy is the way that people view what kind of person you were and what you believed in when you die. I think that Beowulf was trying to maintain a good legacy all throughout the story. He won major battles against Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon which all helped insure his good legacy. He also always did what he believed in and did the right thing. He was very religious and dedicated his life to helping others before himself. “The help I gave him was nothing, but all I was able to give; I went to him, knowing that nothing but Beowulf’s strength could save us, and my sword was lucky, found some vital place and bled the burning flames away.” (Raffel page 116 lines 2875-2880).

The final theme of the story is Leadership. I think leadership is an important theme in the story because Beowulf is a great leader. Beowulf shows that he is a leader many times in this story. Some examples are when he defeats Grendel. He defeats him because he was an enemy of the him and all of his people. His people look up to him so much that whenever he wins a fight, battle, or does something to help his people they celebrate and give him gifts. They honor him in many different ways. He shows he is a great leader by displaying qualities such as bravery, being courageous, taking charge and doing what is best for his people. He is also well respected by his people and they have great faith in him. “Accept this cup, my lord and king! May happiness come to the danes great ring giver; may the Geats receive mild words from your mouth, words they have earned! Let gifts flow freely from your open hands, treasures your armies have brought you from all over the world. I have heard that the greatest of the Geats now rests in your heart like a son.” (Raffel page 51 lines1170-1176). I think this quote describes how much they appreciate Beowulf as a leader. This is a “Bonus” question and will be evaluated separately from the test. It is worth 30 points as a separate assignment.5. In what ways has the “world view” of hero changed from the Beowulf poem era to today? Cite specific examples from both the epic translation that we have read and from the Grendel excerpt that Mr. Osterhaus read, as well as your own experience. You will NOT need a quotation for this question.


Raffel, Burton, Trans. BEOWULF. NY: Signet Classic, 1963.

Themes

• loyalty
• human vs. human and creature vs. human
  
• human vs. self
• human vs. society- person vs. world
  
• free will vs. captivity
• free will vs. fate/ destiny
  
• search for power
• search for freedom
• human condition- wants to feel needed and useful- what he does to gain respect and to feel good about him self
• greed
• good vs. evil
• pride/hubris
• God's power in our lives
• revenge
  
• cruelty
  
• hatred
• The idea of is the grass truly greener on the other side
• love
• God's law vs. mortal law
• despair
• hope
• person vs. death
• fear
• legacy
• role of women
• descent to hell
  
• leadership
• braggart vs. hero
• pagan vs. Christian
• beliefs and values in the story
• giving of gifts- gift appreciation
• view of afterlife
• ritual-burial ways also
• spiritual ordeal
• intervention of God/gods
• respect