Question

beowulf (lines 711–851)
assigned by ms. bright
due: jan 23, 2026 11:59 pm
question 5
use a dictionary to determine the meaning of the word mead as it is used in gummere’s translation of beowulf. what other words for alcohol can you find in this excerpt?

Explanation:

1. First, define "mead" as used in Beowulf: it is an alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water, commonly consumed in medieval Nordic and Anglo-Saxon cultures, often referenced in feasting halls like Heorot.
2. For other alcohol-related terms in the specified Beowulf excerpt (Lines 711-851, Gummere translation), the key term is ale, which appears when describing the feasting and the hall's use for drinking alongside mead.

Answer:

1. Meaning of mead: An alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water, a traditional drink of the Anglo-Saxon culture depicted in Beowulf, associated with communal feasting in mead-halls.
2. Other alcohol word in the excerpt: ale