Beowulf Vocabulary
- Affliction- The cause of pain or distress. Grendel caused much affliction to the people in Herot.
- Cowering- Cringing in fear. Grendel was cowering after Beowulf viciously ripped his arm off.
- Fetter- A shackle or chain. Beowulf's brute strength acted as a fetter locked onto Grendel's arm.
- Gorge- To stuff with food. Upon celebrating Beowulf's victory, Hrothgar gorged himself at the feast.
- Infamous- Having a bad reputation. Grendel was infamous for his belligerent killings of innocent civilians.
- Lament- Audible expression of grief. One could easily hear Grendels lament after having his arm ripped off.
- Livid- Discolored; black and blue. Beowulf's face became livid while fighting Grendel, you could see the anger in his eyes.
- Loathsome- Disgusting; hateful. Grendel was viewed as a loathsome, disgusting beast among the Danes.
- Murky- Cloudy or gloomy. The setting where Beowulf fought Grendel's mother was quite murky and dark.
- Pilgrimage- Journey to a sacred place with a "lofty" purpose. Beowulf made a pilgrimage to defeat Grendel.
- Purge- To cleanse or purify. Grendel needed to be defeated to purge the city and rid it of evilness.
- Relish- To enjoy keenly. Beowulf relished his celebration, having the time of his life.
- Talon- A claw. Grendel locked his talons on Beowulf but he broke free and ripped his arm off.
- Taut- Pulled tight. The monsters skin was quite taut considering it was unable to be penetrated with sharp objects.
- Writhing- Turning in pain. After being bitten by the dragon, Beowulf was writhing in pain.