from Beowulf, “The Battle with the Dragon” and “The Death of Beowulf” Which word best describes Beowulf’s attitude toward his impending battle with the dragon? (1 point) Responses cowardly cowardly villainous villainous resolute resolute pensive
The word that best describes Beowulf's attitude toward his impending battle with the dragon is "resolute."
from Beowulf, “The Battle with the Dragon” and “The Death of Beowulf” Which of these names the protagonist/antagonist relationship in “The Battle with the Dragon?” (1 point) Responses Grendel/the dragon Grendel/the dragon the dragon/Grendel the dragon/Grendel Beowulf/the dragon Beowulf/the dragon the dragon/Beowulf
The correct answer is "Beowulf/the dragon."
from Beowulf, “The Battle with the Dragon” and “The Death of Beowulf” To whom does Beowulf give credit for the retrieval of treasure from the dragon’s tower? (1 point) Responses God God Wiglaf Wiglaf Death Death Wextan
Beowulf gives credit to Wiglaf for the retrieval of treasure from the dragon's tower.
from Beowulf, “The Battle with the Dragon” and “The Death of Beowulf” To whom does Beowulf give credit for the retrieval of treasure from the dragon’s tower? (1 point) Responses
God
Wiglaf
Death
Wextan
Beowulf gives credit to Wiglaf for the retrieval of treasure from the dragon's tower.
from The Exeter Book, “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer,” and “The Wife’s Lament” In “The Seafarer,” who or what is said to issue threats of illness, age, and an enemy’s sword? (1 point) Responses God God the sea the sea the devil the devil Fate Fate
In "The Seafarer," it is said that the threats of illness, age, and an enemy's sword are issued by Fate.
from The Exeter Book, “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer,” and “The Wife’s Lament” The daily life of the author of “The Wife’s Lament” can best be described as (1 point) Responses content. content. lonely. lonely. busy. busy. hopeful.
The daily life of the author of "The Wife's Lament" can best be described as lonely.
from The Exeter Book, “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer,” and “The Wife’s Lament” Which of these is true of “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer,” and “The Wife’s Lament?” (1 point) Responses All three present a woman’s perspective. All three present a woman’s perspective. All three present a sailor’s perspective. All three present a sailor’s perspective. All three describe the loneliness of exile. All three describe the loneliness of exile. All three celebrate Anglo-Saxon values.
The correct statement is: "All three describe the loneliness of exile."
Respond in a full paragraph. Write your answer in complete sentences and begin with a clear thesis. Compare and contrast Beowulf's character traits to the traits of another hero you know of. Compare and contrast at least three sets of traits for full credit. You may choose a traditional hero, one from folklore, or a modern superhero. Please choose a hero your teacher will likely be familiar with as well.
Thesis: Beowulf, the legendary hero from the epic poem "Beowulf," exhibits several distinct character traits that can be compared and contrasted to the traits of another well-known hero, Superman from modern superhero lore. These two heroes share similarities in their bravery and strength, but differ in their origins and moral codes.
Firstly, Beowulf and Superman both possess immense bravery. Beowulf fearlessly faces and defeats supernatural adversaries such as Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, all in order to protect his people. Similarly, Superman constantly puts his life on the line to save innocent lives and the planet from various threats. Both heroes consistently demonstrate their willingness to confront danger head-on and their unwavering commitment to their missions.
Secondly, both Beowulf and Superman are known for their exceptional strength. Beowulf's extraordinary physical power allows him to achieve incredible feats, such as tearing Grendel's arm off with his bare hands. Likewise, Superman possesses superhuman strength that enables him to lift incredibly heavy objects, fly, and engage in powerful battles. Both heroes possess physical abilities beyond those of ordinary humans, making them formidable forces in their respective realms.
However, the two heroes differ in their origins and moral codes. Beowulf is a mythological figure, rooted in Anglo-Saxon warrior culture. He is driven by a desire for fame and glory, seeking to establish his reputation as a great hero. In contrast, Superman's origin lies in comic book lore, being an alien from the planet Krypton, sent to Earth as a baby and raised with the values of truth, justice, and protecting the innocent. Superman's moral code is more focused on doing what is right, even when it is not advantageous for himself, while Beowulf's motivations often stem from personal ambition and the desire for honor.
In conclusion, both Beowulf and Superman possess bravery and strength, making them heroic figures. However, they differ in their origins and moral codes. Beowulf is a legendary figure from Anglo-Saxon lore, driven by a desire for glory, while Superman is a modern superhero originating from comic books, guided by principles of justice and protecting the innocent. Despite these differences, both heroes continue to captivate audiences with their heroic actions and exemplify traits that inspire admiration.
After reading the selections in this unit, what values and ideals would you attribute to Anglo-Saxon society? Consider characters and situations you encountered in the selections from Beowulf and The Exeter Book to support your ideas. (If you had The Exeter Book readings dropped as an accommodation please just use Beowulf.) Write at least two full paragraphs and include at least four specific references from the selections in the unit for full credit. Always begin your essay responses with a clear thesis.
Thesis: The selections from Beowulf and The Exeter Book provide a glimpse into the values and ideals of Anglo-Saxon society, emphasizing the importance of loyalty, courage, honor, and the belief in the inevitability of fate. Through the characters and situations encountered in these works, these values are highlighted and serve as a reflection of the society's mindset.
One of the core values in Anglo-Saxon society is loyalty, which is demonstrated by characters in Beowulf. Beowulf himself exhibits unwavering loyalty to King Hrothgar, as he willingly offers his assistance in defeating the menacing monsters Grendel and Grendel's mother to protect the King's people. Additionally, Beowulf's loyal followers, such as Wiglaf, stand beside him in the face of danger and even risk their lives to support him in battle. This loyalty is further highlighted in "The Seafarer" from The Exeter Book, where the speaker expresses his duty to remain dedicated to his lord and to endure hardships in order to maintain his loyalty.
Courage is another prominent value upheld in Anglo-Saxon society. Beowulf embodies this trait as he fearlessly confronts supernatural adversaries, displaying a willingness to face death for the greater good. His bravery is evident in his battles against Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Similarly, in "The Seafarer," the speaker describes the courageous act of sailing on treacherous seas and enduring harsh conditions as a testament to the resilience of the Anglo-Saxon people.
Honor is greatly valued in Anglo-Saxon society, as seen through the characters' pursuit of fame and glory. Beowulf's primary motivation throughout the epic poem is to earn honor and establish his reputation as a heroic figure. The importance of honor is also emphasized in "The Wanderer" from The Exeter Book, where the speaker mourns the loss of his lord and companions, emphasizing the significance of preserving one's reputation and the honor associated with loyalty to one's lord.
Lastly, the belief in fate is a recurring theme in both Beowulf and The Exeter Book. In Beowulf, characters acknowledge the power of fate and accept that one's destiny is predetermined. The inevitability of fate is also emphasized in "The Seafarer," where the speaker reflects on the uncertainty of life and the overarching influence of fate, highlighting Anglo-Saxon society's belief in the control of external forces on individual outcomes.
In conclusion, the selections from Beowulf and The Exeter Book provide insights into the values and ideals of Anglo-Saxon society. Loyalty, courage, honor, and the belief in fate are prevalent in these works, with characters and situations reflecting the importance placed on these concepts. The societies depicted in these texts uphold these values as foundational principles, shaping their actions and influencing their perspectives on life and relationships.