DIRECTIONS: Read each passage from Beowulf. Then list the characteristics of epic poetry
represented in it
1. So mankind's enemy continued his crimes. / Killing as often as he could, coming / Alone,
bloodthirsty and horrible. Though he lived / In Herot, when the night hid him, he never /
Dared to touch king Hrothgar's glorious / Throne, protected by God-God, / Whose love
Grendel could not know....
2. "Hall Hrothgar! / Higlac is my cousin and my king the days / Of my youth have been filled
with glory. Now Grendel's / Name has echoed in our land: sallors / Have brought us stories
of Herot, the best / Of all mead-halls, deserted and useless when the moon / Hangs in skies
the sun had lit. / Light and life fleeing together. / My people have said, the wisest, most
knowing/And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes / Great king. They have
seen my strength for themselves. / Have watched me rise from the darkness of war....
3. "Grant me, then. / Lord and protector of this noble place, / A single request! I have come
so far,/O shelterer of warriors and your people's loved friend. / That this one favor you
should not refuse me-/That I, alone and with the help of my men. / May purge all evil
from this hall."