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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Books & Literature

Beowulf Quiz: Prove Your Mastery of the Epic Poem

Think you know Beowulf? Take this quiz on Beowulf and prove it!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Beowulf quiz showcasing epic poem heroes and monsters on sky blue background

Are you ready to pit your literary prowess against one of history's greatest sagas? Our free beowulf quiz invites enthusiasts and students alike to explore heroism, monsters, and ancient lore. From Hrothgar's golden hall to Beowulf's underwater battle, you'll revisit each thrilling scene and test your understanding of medieval symbolism. This quiz on beowulf will test your recall of Grendel's lair, Beowulf's feats, and key characters. If you've always heard that beowulf is an epic poem but never delved into its world, now's your chance to prove it. Whether you're prepping for class or craving a literary challenge, this quiz about beowulf's most iconic moments awaits. Take this beowulf quiz and aim for a perfect score! For a deeper challenge, tackle our beowulf test . Dive in and claim your mastery today!

Who is the protagonist of the epic poem “Beowulf”?
Beowulf
Hrothgar
Grendel
Wiglaf
The central hero of the epic poem is Beowulf, a Geatish warrior who comes to aid King Hrothgar of Denmark. He is celebrated for his strength, bravery, and leadership throughout the narrative. Beowulf’s battles against Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon define the action of the epic. Wikipedia: Beowulf
What monster terrorizes King Hrothgar’s great hall, Heorot?
Grendel
Fenrir
Dragon
Troll
Grendel is the first monster encountered in the poem, attacking Heorot at night and slaughtering Hrothgar’s warriors. He is described as a descendant of Cain, cursed and outcast from human society. His reign of terror sets the stage for Beowulf’s arrival. Britannica: Grendel in Beowulf
Who is the Danish king who built the mead-hall Heorot?
Hrothgar
Hygelac
Wealhtheow
Unferth
Hrothgar is the aged king of the Danes who built the magnificent hall Heorot. He enjoys many years of peace before Grendel’s attacks begin. Hrothgar serves as a fatherly figure and host to Beowulf. Britannica: Hrothgar
How does Beowulf defeat Grendel during their first encounter?
He tears off Grendel’s arm
He decapitates him
He uses a poison-tipped arrow
He traps him in chains
Beowulf fights Grendel unarmed to match the monster’s own lack of weapons and succeeds by grabbing and tearing off his arm. This brutal act mortally wounds Grendel, who flees to die in his lair. The torn arm hangs in Heorot as a trophy of victory. British Library: Grendel’s arm
Beowulf is a warrior of which people?
Geats
Danes
Swedes
Norse
Beowulf hails from Geatland (modern-day southern Sweden) and is referred to as a Geat. He travels to Denmark to aid King Hrothgar against Grendel. His Geatish identity shapes his role as both a foreign hero and later a wise king. Britannica: Geats
What is the name of Hrothgar’s mead-hall where the warriors gather?
Heorot
Valhalla
Medusal
Gatespan
Heorot, meaning “Hall of the Hart,” is Hrothgar’s grand mead-hall and the social center of the Danish kingdom. It becomes the target of Grendel’s attacks, symbolizing the clash between civilization and chaos. Heorot’s construction and glory highlight Hrothgar’s wealth and prestige. Britannica: Heorot
After defeating Grendel, which creature does Beowulf face next?
Grendel’s mother
The dragon
Fenrir
A frost giant
Grendel’s mother attacks Heorot in vengeance for her son’s death, leading Beowulf to pursue her to her underwater lair. He battles her with both sword and strength, ultimately slaying her with a giant’s sword found in her hall. This victory cements Beowulf’s reputation as a hero. Britannica: Grendel’s mother
Which Danish warrior taunts Beowulf and lends him a sword called Hrunting?
Unferth
Wiglaf
Hygelac
Breca
Unferth challenges Beowulf’s past exploits out of jealousy but later lends him the sword Hrunting for the fight against Grendel’s mother. The gift underscores themes of honor, reputation, and redemption within the court of Heorot. Britannica: Unferth
What is Hrunting in the poem?
A sword given by Unferth
Beowulf’s heirloom spear
A dragon-hoarded gem
A magical shield
Hrunting is the sword Unferth lends to Beowulf for his battle with Grendel’s mother. Though Hrunting ultimately fails against her, it symbolizes the transfer of trust and respect from Unferth to Beowulf. Britannica: Hrunting
What treasure does the dragon guard that provokes its wrath?
A hoard of gold and jewels
A magical scabbard
An enchanted crown
A pair of horns
The dragon in Beowulf sleeps upon a buried hoard of treasure and fiercely guards it. When a slave steals a cup, the dragon’s rage brings devastation to the Geatish kingdom, leading to Beowulf’s final battle. This motif of hoarded wealth reflects the poem’s exploration of greed and legacy. Britannica: Dragon
Which loyal companion remains with Beowulf during his fight with the dragon?
Wiglaf
Unferth
Hrothgar
Wealhtheow
Wiglaf, a young kinsman, is the only warrior brave enough to aid the aging Beowulf against the dragon. His loyalty contrasts with the cowardice of the other warriors and underscores themes of kinship and courage. Britannica: Wiglaf
What is Beowulf’s fate after killing the dragon?
He is mortally wounded and dies
He abdicates and lives in exile
He falls into an enchanted sleep
He becomes a dragon himself
Beowulf succeeds in slaying the dragon but sustains fatal injuries from its poisonous bite. His death marks the end of an era and leads to a grand funeral, illustrating the tragic consequences of heroism. Britannica: Beowulf’s death
Which poetic structure characterizes the metre of Beowulf?
Alliterative verse
Iambic pentameter
Dactylic hexameter
Blank verse
Beowulf is composed in Old English alliterative verse, using stressed alliteration and a caesura to structure each line. This style differs significantly from later rhymed or meter-based forms and is a hallmark of early Germanic poetry. Britannica: Old English poetry
Grendel is described as a descendant of which biblical figure?
Cain
Abel
Samson
Noah
The poem explicitly links Grendel to Cain, the first murderer in the Bible, to explain his exile from human society and introduce Christian moral undertones. This ancestry emphasizes the fusion of pagan legend with Christian theology. Britannica: Cain and Abel
In Old English, the word “Heorot” literally means which animal?
Hart
Wolf
Bear
Lion
Heorot translates to “hart” (a mature stag), reflecting the mead-hall’s association with nobility and the natural world. The name evokes a majestic gathering place under Hrothgar’s rule. Britannica: Heorot
The only surviving manuscript of Beowulf was catalogued under which Cotton library designation?
Cotton Vitellius A.xv
Cotton Nero A.i
Cotton Otho B.i
Cotton Julius A.vi
Beowulf is preserved in the Nowell Codex, classified as Cotton Vitellius A.xv by Sir Robert Cotton. This single manuscript is the sole source for the poem. British Library: Beowulf manuscript
Around which century do most scholars date the composition of Beowulf?
8th century
5th century
12th century
15th century
While the exact date is debated, linguistic and historical evidence place the composition of Beowulf around the early to mid-8th century. This situates it within the Anglo-Saxon period of England. Britannica: Beowulf dating
Which Old English term appears repeatedly in the poem to denote ‘fate’?
Wyrd
Fatum
Doom
Wælcyrie
“Wyrd” is the Old English word for a concept akin to fate or personal destiny and recurs throughout the poem to emphasize inevitable outcomes. Its usage highlights the interplay between heroic action and destiny. Britannica: Wyrd
Which of the following is NOT a major theme in Beowulf?
Incest
Heroism
Generosity
Loyalty
Beowulf explores themes such as heroism, loyalty, generosity, and the tension between Christian and pagan values. Incest is not a thematic concern in the poem. Britannica: Themes in Beowulf
According to the poem, why does Grendel attack Heorot?
He is angered by the noise and revelry
He seeks revenge for Cain’s curse
He is commanded by a rival king
He defends his territory from intruders
Grendel is provoked by the loud music and celebration in Heorot, which he cannot stand. This intolerance of joy underscores his role as a symbol of envy and destruction. Britannica: Grendel’s motives
In Old English poetry, a compound metaphor such as “whale-road” for the sea is known as what?
Kenning
Simile
Metonymy
Rhyme
A kenning is a type of evocative compound metaphor common in Old English and Norse poetry. “Whale-road” for the sea and “battle-sweat” for blood are classic examples. Britannica: Kenning
How many years does Beowulf rule as king of the Geats before the dragon appears?
Fifty years
Ten years
Thirty years
One hundred years
Beowulf enjoys a peaceful reign of fifty years as king of the Geats. It is only after half a century that a thief disturbs a dragon’s hoard, bringing destruction upon the kingdom. Britannica: Beowulf structure
Which thematic tension in Beowulf highlights the fusion of Christian and Germanic values?
Christian versus pagan
Man versus machine
Chaos versus order
Love versus duty
Beowulf uniquely blends Christian morality and allusions (such as referencing Cain) with traditional Germanic heroic ideals of loyalty, honor, and fate. This thematic interplay is central to modern scholarly interpretations of the poem. Britannica: Christian and pagan
The Nowell Codex, the sole source of Beowulf, narrowly survived a fire in which year?
1731
1620
1815
1901
The manuscript containing Beowulf suffered damage in the 1731 fire at the Cotton Library in London but was largely rescued from destruction. Its survival is pivotal to our knowledge of the text. British Library: Cotton fire
Who produced the first scholarly edition and translation of Beowulf in 1815?
Grímur Jónsson Thorkelin
J.R.R. Tolkien
Seamus Heaney
William Morris
In 1815, Icelandic-Danish scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelin published the first critical edition and Latin translation of Beowulf. His work laid the foundation for subsequent philological studies of the poem. Wikipedia: Thorkelin
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Characters and Events -

    Assess your knowledge of central figures such as Beowulf, Grendel, and King Hrothgar, and recount the poem's most pivotal battles and moments.

  2. Identify Epic Poem Elements -

    Pinpoint defining features that make Beowulf an epic poem, including its heroic structure, elevated language, and cultural significance.

  3. Analyze Themes of Heroism and Legacy -

    Examine how bravery, loyalty, and the pursuit of fame drive the narrative and shape characters' motivations throughout the poem.

  4. Differentiate Monstrous Encounters -

    Distinguish between the various creatures and foes Beowulf confronts, exploring their symbolic roles within the epic's lore.

  5. Evaluate Historical vs. Legendary Aspects -

    Separate probable historical references from mythic embellishments to better understand the poem's blend of fact and fiction.

  6. Apply Critical Thinking to Interpretations -

    Use evidence from the text to support your own readings and interpretations of key passages and character arcs.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Manuscript Preservation & Dating -

    The sole surviving Beowulf manuscript, the Nowell Codex housed at the British Library, dates from circa 975 - 1025 AD, anchoring the poem in an early medieval context. Recognizing this timeframe supports accuracy in any beowulf quiz questions about its historical background.

  2. Epic Heroic Code & Character Traits -

    Beowulf embodies the Germanic heroic code of comitatus, demonstrating loyalty to his lord, exceptional strength, and the pursuit of fame - summarized by the mnemonic "LFS" (Loyalty, Feats, Symbolic boasted glory). Spotting these traits is crucial in a beowulf test when evaluating heroism and leadership qualities.

  3. Major Monsters & Battle Stages -

    Beowulf's three famed battles against Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the dragon not only mark his legendary status but also reflect the hero's evolving challenges; remember "G-G-D" (Grendel, Grendel's Mother, Dragon) to ace any quiz on Beowulf. Observing the distinct setting and stakes of each fight aids retention for a quiz about Beowulf's monster encounters.

  4. Themes of Fate and Faith -

    The poem weaves the pagan notion of wyrd (fate) with Christian references to providence, creating a dual framework that shapes character decisions and moral lessons. Identifying passages where divine judgment intersects with heroic choice strengthens your understanding for a comprehensive beowulf quiz review.

  5. Alliterative Verse & Kennings -

    Beowulf is composed in Old English alliterative meter, using a caesura and domain-specific kennings like "whale-road" (sea) or "ring-giver" (king) to enrich imagery. Spotting these poetic techniques - and practicing by creating your own kennings - can boost confidence on a quiz on Beowulf's language and style.

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