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Literature
Other Subjects
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Beowulf
Literature
Study Guide
NO FEAR
Translation
Summary
Plot Overview
Five Key Questions
What Does the Ending Mean?
Summary & Analysis
Lines 1-300
Lines 301-709
Lines 710-1007
Lines 1008-1250
Lines 1251–1491
Lines 1492–1924
Lines 1925–2210
Lines 2211–2515
Lines 2516–2820
Lines 2821–3182
Characters
Character List
Beowulf
Grendel
Hrothgar
Unferth
Wiglaf
Grendel’s Mother
The Dragon
Main Ideas
Themes
Plot Analysis
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Motifs
Symbols
Genre
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Key Facts
Is Beowulf a hero?
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
Heroism
Mortality
Treasure
Evil
Christianity
Quotes By Section
Lines 1–300
Lines 301–709
Lines 710–1007
Lines 1008–1250
Lines 1251–1491
Lines 1492–1924
Lines 1925–2210
Lines 2211–2515
Lines 2516–2820
Lines 2821–3182
Quotes By Character
Beowulf
Hrothgar
Grendel
Wealhtheow
Wiglaf
Further Study
Context
Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England
The Poetry of Anglo-Saxon England
Movie Adaptations
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Lines 1-300
Lines 301-709
Lines 710-1007
Lines 1008-1250
Lines 1251-1491
Lines 1492-1924
Lines 1925-2210
Lines 2211-2515
Lines 2516-2820
Lines 2821-3182
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Companion Texts
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
Sample A+ Essay
How To Cite No Fear Beowulf
How to Cite This SparkNote
Further study
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
1
of 5
Why are the characters so concerned with family heritage and identity?
That’s how they fulfill their Christian obligations to the afterlife.
So they can live up to past ideals and ensure they are remembered
Because they are shallow and prideful
It’s a way to pass the time.
2
of 5
How does medieval Christianity play out in the tale?
It fuses harmoniously with pagan ideals.
It creates a tension with traditional pagan codes of heroism.
It complements the Danish code of loyalty and the Frisian code of ethics.
It makes it difficult for characters to make decisions.
3
of 5
How can the duty of a warrior vs that of a king be summarized?
Irresponsibility vs. vanity
The quest for personal glory vs. responsibility for a people
The headiness of rebellion vs. the blindness of the narcissism
Conformity vs. freedom
4
of 5
How was the story of Beowulf first told?
It was read from scrolls by medieval monks at service.
It was first told by Homer.
It was sung by a cappella choruses in medieval Norse theater.
It was told orally for many generations before being written down.
5
of 5
Why is the feasting after Beowulf’s defeat of Grendel so important?
It represents the return to order and new hope after turmoil.
It lets them pretend that Grendel never existed.
They need to exorcise Grendel’s spirit from the palace.
Because at the end they burn down the main hall and build a new one in its place
Previous section
Analysis of Major Characters Quick Quiz
Next section
Lines 1-300 Quick Quiz
Beowulf: Popular pages
NO FEAR
No Fear Beowulf
CHARACTERS
Character List
CHARACTERS
Beowulf: Character Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Is Beowulf a hero?
QUOTES
Quotes by Theme
FURTHER STUDY
Review Quiz
