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Questions to Consider for Beowulf (p42 – p70):
FYI: The Geats lived in the area that is Sweden today. In the complete poem (we are only reading a
small portion), the tale forecasts the Geats’ defeat by a tribe called the Swedes.
The Monster Grendel
1. What has upset Grendel?
2. Describe where he lives.
3. Who were Cain and Abel? Why is this significant or what connection does this have to the
introduction of Grendel?
4. Be able to discuss the Christian references.
5. List any kennings.
(from line 30….)
1. What is the significance between the translation for Herot and what Grendel did there the 1 st
night?
2. What was Grendel’s motivation for his actions?
3. How long did this last?
4. ‘Wergild’ is the Anglo-Saxon custom that says any Anglo-Saxon who kills someone has to pay
a price to the family for the death OR accept the fact that the family can seek revenge. How
does this apply in this passage?
5. What is the significance of Grendel not touching Hrothgar’s throne?
6. “But Hrothgar’s Heart was bent”- what is the double meaning of this line?
7. Discuss the Pagan (Celt) and Christian references and the significance here.
8. List any kennings.
“Beowulf”:
1. How does Beowulf find out about Hrothgar’s problems?
2. From this section, what are some characteristics of an Epic Hero?
3. List any kennings.
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(from line 125 on):
1.
Why did Wulfgar stop Beowulf and his men? Why is this important?
2. Does Hrothgar trust Beowulf? How do you know this?
3. Beowulf is giving his resume to Hrothgar. What are his qualifications?
4. Discuss Beowulf’s plan.
5. Discuss the purpose of this section.
6. Discuss the Christian references in this section.
7. List any kennings.
(from line 190 on):
1. Discuss Hrothgar’s speech and the significance of the beginning of the speech. Include how
you believe Beowulf would react to this.
2. The tone of the passage significantly changes at the end. Discuss the effect of this on you the
reader and why this may have been done.
3. Change your perspective- look at this passage through the eyes of Grendel. Discuss how
Grendel would react to this passage.
4. List any kennings.
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“The Battle with Grendel”:
1. It seems like business as usual for Grendel. The author then describes Grendel’s journey (or
demeanor) as “forever joyless” – why?
2. In your own words, describe what Grendel’s actions are when he gets to Herot. What images
come to mind?
3. Where is foreshadowing used in this section? Be able to give specific lines/quotes.
4. Describe what happens between Beowulf and Grendel.
5. What is symbolic of this?
6. How many of Beowulf’s men are left at the end of this passage?
7. List any kennings.
(from line 313):
1. Discuss the Christian- Pagan references in this passage.
2. How does the battle end?
3. Why does Beowulf put his ‘trophy’ in the rafter’s? What is the possible effect on those who
enter Herot?
4. List any kennings.
(from line 359):
1. The lake is compared to what in this passage? (What imagery is used?) How is this symbolic?
2. What is the purpose of this short passage?
3. Why does the author put in the last 2 lines of this passage?
4. List any kennings.
“Grendel’s Mother”:
1. Describe the attack by Grendel’s mother.
2. What fueled the attack?
3. Compare this with Grendel’s 1st attack on Herot.
4. Who does Grendel’s mother take and why?
(from line 425):
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the purpose of this passage?
What is symbolic of the lines referencing the stag?
Who is speaking and what is he asking?
List any kennings.
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“The Battle with Grendel’s Mother”:
1. Describe Beowulf’s decent and meeting with Grendel’s mother. What is symbolic about this
section/action?
2. How are the battle between Grendel and Beowulf and the battle between Grendel’s mother
and Beowulf similar? Is this significant?
3. Is Grendel’s mother’s anger justified?
4. What is the Christian reference here? (Clue: visualize the position of Beowulf’s body….)
5. What is the irony in Grendel’s mother’s death?
6. Was Beowulf justified in his actions toward Grendel’s dead body? Was this ‘overkill’?
“Beowulf’s Last Battle”:
1. How many years have passed since Beowulf’s victory over Grendel’s mother? Approximately
how old do you think he is?
2. How does Beowulf stay true to the ideals of a hero?
3. The battle between Beowulf and the dragon is symbolic of what? What are the textual clues?
4. Why is the breaking of Beowulf’s sword significant?
5. Why did all but 1 of Beowulf’s men abandon him? How would an audience during this time
period react to this?
6. Wiglaf is obviously scared, but yet he stays and fights with Beowulf. Why?
7. What was the dual purpose of his speech?
8. How would the audience react to this section and Wiglaf’s speech?
“The Death of Beowulf”:
1. What is the Christian reference with Wiglaf’s actions when he returns to Beowulf and then
Beowulf’s following speech?
2. What is Beowulf’s last request? How does this stay true to his character?
3. What is the significance of Beowulf passing his necklace, rings and armor to Wiglaf?
4. This passage mixes both Christian and Pagan beliefs. What are they?
5. Is Beowulf an Epic Hero all the way through to his end?
“Mourning Beowulf”:
1. What is the purpose of the last passage?
“Beowulf”. Holt McDougal Literature Grade 12. Orlando: Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt Publishing Company, 2012. Print.
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