Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Questions for “Beowulf”
Table One:
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CLOSE READ lines 67–73 (p. 22): ANNOTATE: Mark the repeated word in lines 67–73.
QUESTION: Why might an author choose to repeat a word in such rapid succession? CONCLUDE:
What does the repetition here reveal about Grendel?
CLOSE READ lines 151–171 (p. 24): ANNOTATE: Mark two details in lines 151–171 that show
what the watchman finds unusual about the arrival of Beowulf and his men. QUESTION: What do
these details suggest about the threats the Danes face and the personal qualities they value?
CONCLUDE: What is the effect of describing Beowulf’s arrival from the point of view of the
watchman?
Table Two:
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CLOSE READ lines 235–253 (p. 26): ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines 235–253 that show the
specific heroic deeds Beowulf recounts to Hrothgar. QUESTION: What can you infer about Beowulf
from the details he shares with Hrothgar? CONCLUDE: What do these details reveal about the world
in which this story is set?
CLOSE READ line 323 (p. 28): ANNOTATE: In English syntax, apposition may be used to rename
or explain a person or thing. Mark the two identifying, appositive phrases used to rename Grendel in
line 323. QUESTION: How do the renamings of Grendel in this line emphasize the significance of the
battle that is about to begin? CONCLUDE: What is the effect of using two or more appositives in a
row?
Table Three:
 CLOSE READ lines 477–48 (p. 32): ANNOTATE: Mark words and phrases in lines 477–489 that
contain sound devices and parallel structures. QUESTION: What effect might these word choices have
had on listeners? CONCLUDE: In what way does the language of the story help make it memorable for
both the storyteller and the audience?
 ANALYZE FOR MEANING lines 621-637 (p. 36): ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines 621-637
that indicate that this is the last battle. QUESTION: What can the reader infer about the significance
of the words “final” and “last” with respect to the coming battle. CONCLUDE: Why might the author
have included these details?
Table Four:
 ANALYZE CONFLICT lines 707-740 (p. 38): ANNOTATE: Mark details that describe what all of
Beowulf’s followers except Wiglaf did as well as details that relate to Wiglaf’s internal conflict.
Remember that an internal struggle is usually between competing feelings. QUESTION: What can the
reader infer about this character who is being named for the first time. And what is the internal
conflict? CONCLUDE: Why might the author have included these details?
 CLOSE READ lines 743–770 (p. 39): ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines 743–770 that show what
Beowulf’s men were like in the beginning and how they changed. QUESTION: How have Beowulf’s
men, with the exception of Wiglaf, changed? CONCLUDE: How do these contrasting details help the
reader better understand Beowulf’s dilemma?
Table Five:
 CLOSE READ lines 814–828 (p. 41): ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines 814–828 that show how
Beowulf wants to be buried and remembered. QUESTION: What do Beowulf’s dying wishes tell you
about him? CONCLUDE: What can you conclude about the character of Beowulf, based on his last
words?
 ANALYZE CHARACTER lines 843-867 (p.42): ANNOTATE: mark all of the funeral details in
these lines. QUESTION: What can the reader infer from what was buried in the tomb with
Beowulf? CONCLUDE: Why might the author have included these details?
Extra Questions for Early finishers (these will help you with the assessment)
1. Analyze Apposition: Look at lines 109–110. ANNOTATE: Mark the name Beowulf and the words
that follow that explain who he is. QUESTION: Consider what this detail might tell you. What can a
reader infer from additional description of Beowulf? CONCLUDE: Formulate conclusions about the
importance of these details in the text. Why might the author have included these details?
2. Analyze the Epic Hero: Look at lines 202–21. Remember that an epic hero is the larger-than-life
central character in an epic. Beowulf epitomizes the epic hero in his feats of strength, victories in battle,
ability to communicate and persuade, and boastful self-confidence. ANNOTATE: Mark details in the
text that show how the watchman reacts to Beowulf upon his arrival. QUESTION: What might these
details tell you? What can a reader infer from the tone of the watchman’s speech. CONCLUDE: Why
might the author have included these details?
3. Analyze Historical Context: Look at lines 519-532 (FUN FACT!!! The Anglo-Saxons took great pride
in decorating their jewellery and weapons with ornamentation.) ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines
519–532 that describe Beowulf’s armour and weaponry, including the sword he found in the lair.
QUESTION: Consider what these details might tell you. What can the reader infer about the sword
that Beowulf finds in the lair? CONCLUDE: Why might the author have included these details?
4. Reflect on Theme: Look at lines 561-574 (Remember that this epic is about heroism, and so far,
several levels have been revealed: physical, spiritual, and emotional. ANNOTATE: Mark details in
lines 561–574 that indicate where the Danes and the Geats are while Beowulf fights underwater. Look
for details that show how they react after waiting for him to surface. QUESTION: What might these
details tell you? What can the reader infer about the responses of Beowulf’s beloved followers or the
people he has saved? CONCLUDE: Why might the author have included these details?