Wray
E10
Name:
Per:
Beowulf Reading Questions lines 2211-2820 Handout # 7
Directions: This handout is going to work differently than the previous handouts. All of these questions are for your
consideration, and you should expect to see them on the unit test, but you are only responsible for answering your group’s
questions. Each group will present answers to the class. I suggest you take notes on the other questions as you listen to
the other groups present.
Group 1:
1. In the description of the thief, the poet says, “It gained him nothing.” Read lines 2231-2270 together. How were
treasure and wealth regarded previously? How has the perception of wealth and treasure shifted in the poem? What
explanation(s) can you come up with for this?
2. What is the last survivor’s perspective on war? How is it different than the views expressed earlier in the poem?
3. Specifically how is Beowulf affected by the dragon’s attacks? Why does he believe he and the Geats are being attacked?
4. How does Beowulf plan to defeat the dragon? Do you think this is wise? Is it right to sacrifice himself for his people or
should he act as Hrothgar did? Why?
5. What are some of Beowulf’s other challenges?
Group 2:
6. Beowulf does not accept the throne after Hygelac’s death. Why? What does he do instead? What does this say about
Beowulf as a man? What role does Beowulf seem most comfortable in?
7. How does Beowulf retaliate against the Swedes? Why?
8. Why do you think the poet essentially tells the reader that Beowulf will not survive the battle with the dragon?
9. Why is the story of Herebeald and Haethcyn included here? How does it relate to the poem’s ideas about fate and
acceptance?
10. How does the tone of the poem change in this latest section? What other section of the poem has this same tone or feel
to it?
Group 3:
11. What happens after Hrethel’s death? Why are the Swedes able to attack the Geats? Should Beowulf have taken this
possibility into consideration before deciding to battle the dragon? Why or why not?
12. Summarize what happens in the battle between the dragon, Wiglaf, and Beowulf. What goes wrong? How does he end
up slaying the dragon?
13. Who is Wiglaf? He represents the ideal thane. Based on his history and behavior, what are thanes given by their king
and how are they supposed to behave? Reread the passage where Wiglaf scolds the other thanes (lines 2631-2660).
14. Where does Wiglaf’s sword come from? What’s the back story?
15. What similar characteristics do Wiglaf and young Beowulf share? How is their relationship similar to the relationship
between young Beowulf and Hrothgar?
Group 4:
16. Beowulf reflects on his life in his final moments. According to him, has he lived a life he can be proud of? How does he
feel about leaving his people without a king?
17. What does Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do to commemorate him? Has he earned it?
18. Beowulf’s last words are, “You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waegmundings. Fate swept us away, sent my
whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.” How would you describe his last words? What
hasn’t changed about Beowulf throughout the poem? How would the Anglo-Saxons feel about his final words?
19. Do you think Beowulf was defeated? Should he be satisfied with his life and the outcome of his final challenge? Did
he do what he set out to do?