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Beowulf Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Beowulf Quizzes, Trivia

Beowulf Trivia

Beowulf Trivia Quizzes

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What may be the oldest surviving poem in Old English tells the story of the Geat hero Beowulf, and the various battles in which he engaged. Remember the monster Grendel, whose mother was even more ferocious?
4 Beowulf quizzes and 45 Beowulf trivia questions.
1.
  Average Beowulf Quiz - 10 Questions   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Beowulf" is one of the earliest European epics written in the vernacular. It is a poem about man vs. monster.
Average, 10 Qns, pagiedamon, Feb 25 11
Average
pagiedamon gold member
1952 plays
2.
  Beowulf: 10 Questions    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
When I saw there was no quiz on 'Beowulf', I pulled the book out of the library and wrote a quiz. I hope you enjoy.
Average, 10 Qns, pennie1478, Dec 20 20
Average
pennie1478 gold member
Dec 20 20
2720 plays
3.
  "Beowulf" People and Places    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
How well do you know the people and places found in the epic poem "Beowulf"?
Average, 15 Qns, shs05, Nov 04 19
Average
shs05
Nov 04 19
547 plays
4.
  Quick Beowulf Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just a quick quiz on "Beowulf".
Average, 10 Qns, Falcons1257, Feb 23 20
Average
Falcons1257
Feb 23 20
554 plays
trivia question Quick Question
When was the oldest surviving manuscript of "Beowulf" written (about)?

From Quiz "Beowulf"





Beowulf Trivia Questions
1. Hrothgar is king of which group of people?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: The Danes

Beowulf replaces him as king later.

2. Beowulf participated in a swimming competition with which person?

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: Breca

Breca and Beowulf decided upon a swimming competition, which got a bit out of hand. Breca almost died and Beowulf had to slay several sea monsters.

3. For years, King Hrothgar has futilely tried to protect his subjects from the monster Grendel. What group of people does he rule?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: The Danes

Hrothgar, probably a legendary figure, is the king of the Danes in "Beowulf". His name is mentioned in other Scandinavian literature, with some degree of consistency, so it is possible that the king in "Beowulf" was based upon some ancient Scandinavian king.

4. How many men had Grendel killed in the opening chapter?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: 30

Grendel, a demon, came up from the ocean when he heard Hrothgar and his men singing songs about God and his creation. Grendel, who was a descendant of Adam and Eve's son Cain, killed thirty of Hrothgar's men. After that night, Grendel had attacked the kingdom for twelve years.

5. Who keeps attacking the hall where the Spear-Danes sleep?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: Grendel

Grendel is an evil Demon.

6. Grendel and his mother are this person's descendants.

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: Cain

Cain, from the Bible, killed his brother Abel, committing the first murder in human history. Grendel is descended from this evil, murderous aspect of humanity.

7. The author of "Beowulf" states that Grendel the monster was condemned by God. Why?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: He was a child of Cain.

The author says that God repudiated Cain (for killing his brother Abel) and all of Cain's descendants--which include "ogres, hobgoblins, and monsters". Grendel, being a "child" of Cain because he is a monster, has been rejected by God.

8. Who is Grendel a descendant of?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: Cain

Cain from the biblical story of Cain and Abel.

9. How is Grendel characterized?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: Violent

He kills people just because he can.

10. Who is Beowulf's father?

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: Ecgtheow

Ecgetheow was considered a great warrior in his time, and was highly regarded by Hrothgar.

11. Women, for the most part, play a peripheral part in "Beowulf". The poem depicts women in all of the roles EXCEPT:

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: Hero

Wealhtheow is Hrothgar's queen. She is the hostess at Hrothgar's hall, Heorot. Hygd is also a hostess seen in "Beowulf", though she is not as important in the story as Wealtheow. Freawaru is called a "peaceweaver" (that is, she brings peace between families through marriage). Grendel's mother, of course, is the main villain in the poem. In all, there are six women of any note mentioned in "Beowulf": Wealhtheow, Hygd, Freawaru, Hildeburh, Grendel's mother, and Thryth.

12. How is Beowulf characterized?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: Brave

He wants to go and fight Grendel.

13. Beowulf came from a people known by what name?

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: Geats& Geat

The Geats lived in the area now known as Sweden, and Beowulf came from this land, which was called Geatland back in his time.

14. What does the jealous lord Unferth mock Beowulf about?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: Losing a swimming race

Unferth is jealous of Beowulf and tries to undermine him. Beowulf denies the loss of a swimming race, and contends that he not only won the race, but also fought nine sea-monsters in the process! (Hmm...can anyone say 'exaggeration'?)

15. How did Hrothgar reward Beowulf for killing the second demon?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: Twelve treasures were awarded to him

After defeating the second demon, Beowulf partied with the people of the kingdom and then went to bed. The next morning he and his men left for their homeland.

16. What does Beowulf fight Grendel with?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: His bare hands

This shows his bravery.

17. Hrothgar built a place where his people gathered and celebrated. The destruction of this place severely affected the spirit of Hrothgar's people. What was the name of this place?

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: Heorot

Heorot was the mead hall that Hrothgar built. It served as a place where the people gathered and celebrated. Heorot was an important aspect of the culture as the hall provided a means for the people to gain strength through the fellowship of unity.

18. After Beowulf slays Grendel, who comes to avenge the monster?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: Grendel's mother

Grendel's mother, who is given no name, is described in masculine and monstrous terms. It appears that she is more evil than Grendel himself. She does, however, evince the human traits of love (for her son) and desire (for vengeance).

19. When Beowulf returned to his homeland, how long did he rule as king after the previous king passed away?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: Fifty years

After Beowulf and his men returned to their homeland, Beowulf gave some of his treasure to his king and queen. In return for his generosity and bravery, Beowulf's king gave him some land to rule. After King Hygelac was killed in battle, Beowulf took over the kingdom.

20. How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: He rips off Grendel's arm

He fights bare-handed, so that's about all he can do.

21. Where did Grendel's mother live?

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: in a cave under a lake

Grendel's mother lived in a cave at the bottom of a lake. Beowulf had to dive into the lake and do battle with her in order to finally free the land from the grasp of her evil.

22. Why does the fire-breathing dragon hidden under ground in Beowulf's land come above ground?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: Because his treasure was stolen

It has been fifty years since Beowulf defeated Grendel and Beowulf is happy with his land and his people. When a slave steals a jeweled goblet belonging to a fire-breathing dragon, the dragon comes above ground to find the culprit. He attacks some of the citizens of Beowulf's kingdom and Beowulf goes after him.

23. After Beowulf defeats Grendel, who does he fight next?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: Grendel's Mother

In a later chapter but important to know.

24. The sword Hrunting was given to Beowulf to fight against which monster?

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: Grendel's mother

It's interesting Unferth gave Beowulf his sword considering how jealous he was of Beowulf when he first arrived.

25. How does Beowulf eventually become king of the Geats?

From Quiz Beowulf

Answer: King Hygelac and his sons all die, leaving no heirs.

After King Hygelac dies, his own sons too die. Beowulf is then chosen king of the Geats.

26. Who is Beowulf the leader of?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: The Geats

He rules as king for about 50 years.

27. Who or what is Naegling?

From Quiz "Beowulf" People and Places

Answer: Beowulf's sword

Every hero, especially epic ones, have a wondrous sword. King Arthur had Excalibur and Beowulf had Naegling.

28. What does Beowulf fight and defeat right before he dies?

From Quiz Quick Beowulf Quiz

Answer: Dragon

He dies from the battle wounds.

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