Question

beowulf
by eddie mcpherson
beowulf: i am beowulf, son of ecgtheow. i have come to
destroy the demon grendel.
1st poet: the captain was immediately impressed with
beowulfs quiet strength and confident demeanor.
captain: grendel has slaughtered many men and fear has
paralyzed the kingdom. allow me to warn you in advance: if
you plan to confront the creature, dont expect to return to
your home, for surely grendel will kill you and all your men. if
you have any brains at all, you will go aboard your ship again
and return home.
use the passage to answer the question.
what theme is being developed in this passage?
(1 point)
being a leader means being able to understand
the needs of others.
poetry is more than an artistic response. it is a
record of history.
military might is not always the best way to win a
war.
confidence is necessary when one is confronted
with a difficult task.

Explanation:

The passage shows Beowulf's confident demeanor (as noted by the 1st Poet) when he comes to face the difficult task of fighting Grendel. The Captain warns him of the danger, but Beowulf's confidence is highlighted in his resolve to take on the task. The other options are not supported - there's no mention of leadership in terms of understanding others' needs (no focus on that aspect in the passage), no discussion of poetry as a record of history (the text is a play excerpt, not about poetry's historical role), and no indication that military might isn't the best way (Beowulf is using military - like action, coming to fight).

Answer:

Confidence is necessary when one is confronted with a difficult task.