Question

What description BEST fits Beowulf himself? A. arrogant, superhuman hero B. intellectual, modest warrior C. bold, strong nemesis D. loyal, deserving assistant
The recurring use of _____ in Beowulf enhances the imagery and rhythm in the poem.
A. allusion
B. foreshadowing
C. irony
D. alliteration
The magnitude of the Beowulf hero's battle with the dragon is increased because
A. Beowulf is not as young as he once was.
B. Beowulf has lost his magical weapon.
C. Beowulf has been taken by surprise.
D. Beowulf's confidence has been shaken.

Answer 1

1) Beowulf as a loyal, deserving assistant possesses great Germanic heroic attributes as pride, loyalty and courtesy. He explores his heroism through three difficult phases with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. His reputation for bravery is enhanced when he defeats Grendel and Grendel’s bother with courage and establishes himself as a hero.

2) The recurring use of alliteration in Beowulf enhances the imagery and rhythm in the poem.

Alliteration is a literary device, repetition of the consonants in row, sound stressing syllable of a phrase. In Beowulf narrator engages the listener by the use of alliteration.

Example: “ Marshes, and made his home in hell,” in “The Wrath of Grendel”, describes and creates the image of Grendel’s home as frightening, horrible and a hellish place. Such description creates a sense of fear among listeners.

3) The magnitude of the Beowulf hero's battle with the dragon is increased because Beowulf is not as young as he once was. Beowulf’s transition between his two phases of life- youth and age, separated by fifty years, gradually is dictated by the Germanic heroic code.