"Beowulf" People and Places Trivia Quiz

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.

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.

Answer: False

Hrothgar is king of the Danes.

Answer: Ecgtheow

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

Answer: 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.

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.

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.

Answer: Grendel's mother

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

Answer: Beowulf's sword

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

Answer: Beowulf's

Hygelac is Lord of the Geats, and Beowulf's uncle.

Answer: 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.

Answer: Scyld Scefing

Scyld Scefing was revered as a great leader of his people and much of the introduction relates his story. His name means shield or protector.

Answer: true

While there aren't too many women in Beowulf, Wealtheow's brief appearance shows her as hostess and her place is one of high regard, showing women had some significance during that time--or at least those women who were in the position of power.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.