What does the word trap refer to in this excerpt from Beowulf?

'O flower of warriors, beware of that trap.

Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part,

eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride.

For a brief while your strength is in bloom

but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow

illness or the sword to lay you low, or a sudden fire or surge of water

or jabbing blade or javelin from the air

or repellent age. Your piercing eye'

will dim and darken; and death will arrive,

dear warrior, to sweep you away.

A) death

B) accidents

C) old age

D) pride

Question

English

Ethan Brock

10 November, 12:15

What does the word trap refer to in this excerpt from Beowulf?

'O flower of warriors, beware of that trap.

Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part,

eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride.

For a brief while your strength is in bloom

but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow

illness or the sword to lay you low, or a sudden fire or surge of water

or jabbing blade or javelin from the air

or repellent age. Your piercing eye'

will dim and darken; and death will arrive,

dear warrior, to sweep you away.

A) death

B) accidents

C) old age

D) pride

+1

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Bianca Hayden · Answer 1

The correct answer is D. The word "trap" refers to pride. In these lines, Beowulf is being warned. He is told to "beward of that trap," and "Do not give way to pride." Beowulf is warned that his strength will not last forever; ultimately, he will grow weak and old, or he will be injured. Either way, his strength is not something he will always have - - therefore, he must not become so proud that he forgets he is human.