Beowulf

"Beowulf" is one of the oldest surviving works of English literature, an epic poem written in Old English sometime between the 8th and early 11th century. The poem narrates the heroic feats of Beowulf, a Geatish warrior who travels to Denmark to help King Hrothgar, whose mead hall, Heorot, is under attack by a monstrous creature named Grendel. Beowulf battles Grendel and later Grendel's mother, showcasing his superhuman strength and valor. In his later years, Beowulf, now king of the Geats, fights a dragon that threatens his kingdom. Though he succeeds in killing the dragon with the help of his loyal warrior Wiglaf, he is fatally wounded and dies, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice.

J.R.R. Tolkien's influential essay, "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," argued for the poem’s literary value, emphasizing its mythological and artistic significance rather than viewing it merely as a historical artifact. The text is notable for its use of kennings, its rich alliterative verse, and its exploration of themes such as heroism, loyalty, and the inevitability of death. The most famous modern translations include Seamus Heaney's 1999 version, which begins with the word “So!” as a rendition of the Old English "Hwæt," and a recent 2020 translation by Maria Dahvana Headley that opens with “Bro!”

### Common Clues Across Multiple Questions

1. **Grendel** – The primary antagonist in the first part of "Beowulf," Grendel is a monstrous descendant of Cain who terrorizes Heorot, the mead hall of King Hrothgar. Beowulf defeats Grendel by ripping off his arm.

2. **Wiglaf** – A loyal warrior who assists Beowulf in his final battle against the dragon. Wiglaf is the only one who stands by Beowulf as he faces the dragon, and he is named Beowulf’s successor after the hero's death.

3. **Heorot** – The great mead hall built by Hrothgar, King of the Danes, where much of the action takes place. It is the site of Grendel’s attacks and Beowulf’s first major battle.

4. **Hrunting** – The sword given to Beowulf by Unferth to fight Grendel's mother. Although Hrunting fails during the battle, it symbolizes the camaraderie and respect between warriors.

5. **Dragon** – In the final part of the poem, an older Beowulf fights a dragon that threatens his kingdom. Although he kills the dragon, he is mortally wounded in the battle.

6. **Hwæt!** – The Old English exclamation that begins the poem, often translated as “Listen!” or “Lo!” This word has been interpreted variously by translators, with Seamus Heaney famously using “So,” and Maria Dahvana Headley using “Bro!”

7. **Swimming Contest with Breca** – A famous episode where Beowulf is challenged about his past by Unferth, who brings up a swimming contest between Beowulf and Breca. Beowulf claims he was delayed by fighting sea monsters during the race.

8. **Funerals** – The poem includes multiple funeral scenes, including the funeral of Shield Sheafson at the beginning and Beowulf's own funeral at the end, symbolizing the poem's themes of mortality and legacy.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared in More Than One Toss-up

1. **Grendel and Grendel’s Mother** – The battles with Grendel and his mother are central to Beowulf’s heroism. Grendel, a creature descended from Cain, terrorizes Heorot until Beowulf defeats him. Later, Beowulf also kills Grendel’s mother in her underwater lair.

2. **Wiglaf as the Only Loyal Companion** – Wiglaf is repeatedly noted as the only warrior who does not abandon Beowulf during the fight with the dragon. His loyalty and courage contrast with the cowardice of Beowulf's other warriors.

3. **Hrunting’s Failure** – Unferth’s sword, Hrunting, fails Beowulf during his fight with Grendel’s mother, a notable detail symbolizing the limits of human weaponry against supernatural forces.

4. **Hwæt as the Opening Exclamation** – The word "Hwæt" signifies the epic’s opening line, which translators have interpreted in various ways. This word has become symbolic of the poem's oral tradition.

5. **Seamus Heaney's Translation** – Heaney's translation of "Beowulf" is one of the most popular and accessible modern versions, especially notable for its stylistic choices, such as translating "Hwæt" as “So!”

6. **The Barrow as Beowulf’s Final Resting Place** – Beowulf is buried in a barrow by the sea, constructed by his people after he dies in the battle against the dragon. This scene symbolizes the end of his legacy and the ephemerality of human achievements.

### Fill-in-the-Blank Quizbowl Practice

1. Beowulf is the hero of the Old English epic who kills ___1___ and Grendel's mother.

2. He fights his final battle against a ___2___ with the help of Wiglaf.

3. The mead hall ___3___ is where Beowulf defeats Grendel.

4. Unferth lends Beowulf the sword ___4___, which fails him in battle.

5. The opening word "___5___" is famously translated as "So!" by Seamus Heaney.

6. Beowulf’s swimming contest with ___6___ is recounted as proof of his strength.

7. Beowulf's barrow is constructed near the ___7___ to commemorate him after his death.

Answers:

1. Grendel

2. dragon

3. Heorot

4. Hrunting

5. Hwæt

6. Breca

7. sea

1. **Grendel** (40 occurrences)  

   - The primary antagonist Beowulf faces first. Described as a monstrous descendant of Cain who terrorizes the mead-hall Heorot.

2. **Wiglaf** (35 occurrences)  

   - Beowulf's loyal warrior and only companion during his final battle with the dragon. He becomes king after Beowulf’s death.

3. **Heorot** (33 occurrences)  

   - The grand mead-hall of the Danish King Hrothgar, frequently attacked by Grendel until Beowulf arrives to defend it.

4. **Dragon** (32 occurrences)  

   - The final adversary that Beowulf battles, resulting in his own mortal wounding. The dragon is awakened by a stolen goblet and guards a treasure hoard.

5. **Swimming contest with Breca** (29 occurrences)  

   - A contest from Beowulf’s youth often brought up by Unferth to challenge Beowulf’s strength. Beowulf explains he fought sea monsters during the race.

6. **Hrunting** (22 occurrences)  

   - A sword lent to Beowulf by Unferth to use in his battle against Grendel’s mother. It ultimately fails him during the fight.

7. **Descendant of Cain** (20 occurrences)  

   - A phrase used to describe Grendel (and sometimes his mother), linking them to biblical origins of evil in *Beowulf*.

8. **Scyld Scefing (Shield Sheafson)** (18 occurrences)  

   - A legendary Danish king whose funeral opens the poem. He is an ancestor of Hrothgar and symbolizes heroic ideals.

9. **Hwæt** (16 occurrences)  

   - The Old English word that opens *Beowulf*, often translated as “Listen,” “Lo,” or “So.” Different translators render it differently.

10. **The Monsters and the Critics** (15 occurrences)  

   - J.R.R. Tolkien’s influential 1936 essay that defends the literary quality of *Beowulf* and argues it should be viewed as a work of art.

11. **Aeschere** (12 occurrences)  

   - Hrothgar’s trusted advisor, who is killed by Grendel’s mother as revenge for Grendel's death, prompting Beowulf’s quest to kill her.

12. **Four funerals** (10 occurrences)  

   - A structural feature in *Beowulf*, referring to the funerals of Scyld Scefing, Aeschere, Beowulf, and the “Last Survivor” or other figures.

13. **Lay of the Last Survivor** (9 occurrences)  

   - A passage lamenting the loss of an ancient race and their treasures, sometimes considered one of the “four funerals” in the poem.

14. **The Nowell Codex** (8 occurrences)  

   - The manuscript in which *Beowulf* is preserved, part of the Cotton library. It’s one of the most important sources of Old English literature.

15. **Seamus Heaney’s translation** (8 occurrences)  

   - A popular modern English translation of *Beowulf* from 1999, notable for its use of "So" as the opening word.

16. **Queen Wealhtheow** (5 occurrences)  

   - Hrothgar’s queen, who welcomes Beowulf to Heorot and serves as a “peace-weaver” in the Danish court.

17. **Unferth** (5 occurrences)  

   - A Danish warrior who initially taunts Beowulf, challenging his strength and recounting the Breca swimming contest. He later lends Beowulf Hrunting.

18. **Shield Sheafson (alternative to Scyld Scefing)** (4 occurrences)  

   - Another name for Scyld Scefing, the legendary king whose funeral opens the poem. Sometimes used interchangeably in questions.

19. **The Fight at Finnsburg** (4 occurrences)  

   - A heroic fragment sometimes paired with *Beowulf* in certain editions. It recounts a battle between Danes and Frisians and is alluded to in the poem.