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Beowulf Study Guide Part 3

Terms in this set (19)

"Gold - shining hall" is a kenning for what ?
The mead hall Herot
In Line 241 it reads, "But never, before nor after that night, found Herot defended so firmly. What does the part in italics suggest to the reader ?
That before this night Herot was never heavily guarded nor would it be after this night. Meaning they might win the battle and wont need to or they are all going to die and nobody will be left to protect them. Foreshadowing the future saying there will possibly be another fight.
Line 243 states Grendel found a "harsh reception" upon his arrival to Herot. This means...
Meaning that his night is not going to end in his favor,
"Shepherd of Evil" and "Guardian of Crime" are kennings re-naming ?
Means that Grendel is a carrier of evil and death cause he kills lots of people
What happens in Line 264 ?
Grendel murders the first soldier he encounters and drinks the blood
What happens in Line 269 ?
Grendel goes to grab the next soldier which turns out to be Beowulf and Beowulf starts to fight back.
Surprise, Grendel ! Explain what is going on in Line 271
Grendel just killed someone but when he goes to kill the next person (which turns out to be Beowulf). But before he knows it Beowulf starts to pull back Grendel's arm with no problem.
What is Grendel thinking about in Line 279 ?
Grendel is think about running away back to the marsh and hide where he would be safe
In Line 285 it reads, "The infamous killer (kenning for Grendel) fought for his freedom, wanting no flesh but retreat, desiring nothing but escape." This means...
Grendel didn't want to kill anymore he just wants to run away back home
Explain what is happening from Lines 290 - 300
Grendel and Beowulf were fighting and the building was shaking and swaying from side to side. Herot though was built to withstand anything besides fire.
In Line 305 it reads, "Suddenly the sounds changed...the Danes started in new terror, cowering in their beds, as the terrible screams of the almighty's enemy sang in the darkness, the horrible shrieks of pain and defeat." What's going on here ?
Beowulf is having the upperhand and Grendel is getting defeated pretty fast. Grendel is shocked that he is currently losing this battle.
As Beowulf fought Grendel, what were all of his men doing ? (Lines 316 - 320) ?
The men were originally standing at the sidelines watching Beowulf and Grendel fight. But once Beowulf has the upperhand the soldiers realized that they can help so they started to help and go fight. The soldiers could not penetrate Grendel's skin because of his scales and because every time they tried to impale the skin the blades would dull. Grendel had a curse put on where every blade/iron would dull when hit on impact.
In Lines 327 - 330 it reads, "...his days were over, his death near; down to hell he would go, swept groaning and helpless to the waiting hands of still - worse fiends." What is happening, where is Grendel going and who/what is waiting for him ?
The author is saying that Grendel is going to go to hell when he dies and then once he goes to hell its going to be worse of him.
"He twisted in pain and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped. Muscle and bone split and broke; the battle was over." Explain.
Beowulf won the battle against Grendel once Grendel escape and runs off to his home
What is Grendel's fate ? Lines 341 - 345:
Grendel is going to run back home with fatal injuries and his fate is to die alone
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