Question

So Healfdene's son brooded continually / over his sorrows; the wise man could not / ward off the trouble. The strife was too great, / hateful, long-lasting, that had come to the nation, / cruel spirit's envy, gigantic night-evil. / Far off in his homeland Hygelac's thane, good man of the Geats, heard about Grendel; / he was the strongest of all living men / at that time in this world, / noble and huge.
Which statement from the passage most clearly establishes characterization for Beowulf?

Answer 1

Answer:

he was the strongest of all living men / at that time in this world, / noble and huge

Explanation:

It is the only statement in the excerpt that is a direct description of the character and for sure lets you know quite a lot about Beowulf. With so little, we know how high regarded he is since he is "the strongest of all living men". We also know that he is noble, which might also mean that he is a good person, depending on the context. And we know how impressive his looks are since he is "huge".

Answer 2

[H] he was the strongest of all living men/ at that time in this world, / noble and huge.