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Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 45 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Beowulf
| When was the oldest surviving manuscript of "Beowulf" written (about)? | Beowulf
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1000 A.D.. The oldest surviving manuscript was written by an Anglo-Saxon in 1000 A.D. The owner of the manuscript, Robert Cotton, gave it to a British museum after a fire came close to destroying it in 1731. However, some scholars believe that the poem could have been written as early as the seventh or eighth century (http://bestoflegends.org/beowulf/index.html).
No one knows. The author of Beowulf is unknown, but it was first available for the public in print in 1815.
| Why does the fire-breathing dragon hidden under ground in Beowulf's land come above ground? | Beowulf
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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.
| When Beowulf returned to his homeland, how long did he rule as king after the previous king passed away? | Beowulf
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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.
| How did Hrothgar reward Beowulf for killing the second demon? | Beowulf
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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.
| Was Beowulf able to get Hrothgar's advisor away from the second demon? | Beowulf
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No. When they arrived at the sea where the second demon lived, Beowulf and his men found Aescheres had been decapitated.
| How many men had Grendel killed in the opening chapter? | Beowulf
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30. Grendel, a demon, came up from the ocean when she 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.
Wounds received from his battle with the dragon. The dragon that Beowulf fights manages to bite him in the neck. This attack proves to be fatal, and Beowulf later dies. The poem states that Beowulf of all kings "was the gentlest and most gracious of men, the kindest to his people and most desirous of renown".
| How does Beowulf eventually become king of the Geats? | Beowulf
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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.
| After Beowulf slays Grendel, who comes to avenge the monster? | Beowulf
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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).
| What does the jealous lord Unferth mock Beowulf about? | Beowulf
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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'?)
| The author of "Beowulf" states that Grendel the monster was condemned by God. Why? | Beowulf
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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.
| For years, King Hrothgar has futilely tried to protect his subjects from the monster Grendel. What group of people does he rule? | Beowulf
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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.
from wounds inflicted by the dragon. Beowulf was much older when he had to deal with the dragon than when he fought with Grendel. It seems fitting that this great warrior die in fight than of old age.
A relative and loyal warrior to Beowulf. Wiglaf plays an important role in the second half of Beowulf. When Beowulf is in his declining years, he must battle a dragon that is terrorizing Geatland. Beowulf believes it is his responsibility to battle the dragon alone. Wiglaf is the only warrior who stays with the dying Beowulf, and vanquishes the dragon.
Unferth. When Beowulf arrived he was given a hero's welcome. His feats and abilities had traveled before him, yet one particular warrior of Hrothgar's was rude and uncivil to Beowulf. This would be Unferth, whose behavior mostly stemmed from jealousy of being displaced by this outsider.
Beowulf's. Hygelac is Lord of the Geats, and Beowulf's uncle.
Beowulf's sword. Every hero, especially epic ones, have a wondrous sword. King Arthur had Excalibur and Beowulf had Naegling.
Grendel's mother. It's interesting Unferth gave Beowulf his sword considering how jealous he was of Beowulf when he first arrived.
bottom of a lake. Grendel's mother lived 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.
| 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? | "Beowulf" People and Places
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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.
Geats. The Geats lived in the area now known as Sweden, and Beowulf came from this land, which was called Geatland back in his time.
Edgetheow. Edgetheow was considered a great warrior in his time, and was highly regarded by Hrothgar.
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.
Dragon. He dies from the battle wounds.
The Geats. He rules as king for about 50 years.
Grendel's Mother. In a later chapter but important to know.
He rips off Grendel's arm. He fights bare-handed, so that's about all he can do.
His bare hands. This shows his bravery.
Brave. He wants to go and fight Grendel.
Violent. He kills people just because he can.
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