Preserved in a single manuscript called Cotton MS Vitellus A XV, this epic begins with the word “Hwaet” often translated as listen

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Today’s Final Jeopardy Category is: Literature

Today’s Final Jeopardy

Preserved in a single manuscript called Cotton MS Vitellus A XV, this epic begins with the word “Hwaet” often translated as listen

Final Jeopardy Answer

The Final Jeopardy Answer is: Beowulf

Final Jeopardy Explanation

Beowulf is the Old English epic poem is preserved in a single manuscript known as the Cotton MS Vitellius A XV, which is housed in the British Library. The poem begins with the word “Hwæt,” which has been variously translated as “Listen,” “Lo,” “Behold,” or simply as a call to attention, setting the tone for a tale of heroic deeds and legendary struggles.

Beowulf is one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature, believed to have been composed between the 8th and the early 11th century. The epic consists of over 3,000 alliterative lines, and it chronicles the heroic deeds of the protagonist Beowulf, a great warrior from Geatland (modern-day Sweden) who battles monstrous creatures like Grendel and a dragon that threatens his kingdom. The narrative not only delves into themes of heroism, honor, and mortality but also provides a valuable glimpse into the social and cultural context of the time. “Beowulf” continues to be studied and revered in literature for its complex narrative structure, rich symbolism, and historical significance.