BEOWULF
This study guide is not limited to an understanding of the plot: it will give you insight into what your teacher is looking at as she
reads, it makes connections to the historical perspective of the piece and analyzes the epic’s structure. It behooves you to at least
read the questions, even if you do not feel the need to answer them.
1. What does the name Beo-wulf mean? (think kenning. . . )
2. Shield Sheafson is an interesting name. What does it imply?
3. What does it suggest that he is a foundling? What does that tell you about these people?
4. What does the word “tholed” mean? (14)
5. What is the explicit theme, line 25?
6. They buried him according to his wishes. Describe it.
7. They connect his birth and his death. Explain.
8. Trace the lineage of the families.
9. According to its description, what will not occur in the mead hall?
10. In its beginning is its end. How will the mead hall disappear?
11. What specifically is Grendel’s (as yet unnamed) problem with the mead hall?
12. Throughout this epic we have “commercials” for Christianity. When was the first one? The second?
13. What are the descendants of Cain, according to this text?
14. At line 120, we hear that Grendel “grabbed thirty men.” This is an exaggeration meaning “a lot.” Look for other
examples of exaggeration.
15. What is a “bothie?” (140); a “lay?” (151)
16. In what sense is Grendel a metaphor? How is he symptomatic of all fears?
17. Why is Grendel kept from approaching the throne? What, then, is the significance of the throne symbolically that
Grendel has rejected?
18. Here is another commercial for Christianity at around 175. Why is the speaker forgiving of the heathen ways?
19. The focus shifts at 195 to Beowulf. Characterize him.
20. IS there any significance in the number of people he brings with him?
21. How much time is spent travelling to the Danes?
22. “They thanked God for their easy crossing” conflicts with the answer to question 18. Which is it?
23. The formal greeting and demands from the guard are complimentary. Does that detract from his own prowess?
Surely these 14 men could overpower him in a trice, yet they do not. Why?
24. They strangers follow the conventions of introduction. What can you learn about them based on the order things are
stated in?
25. It is hubris (or fact?) for Beowulf to state basically that he alone can save Hrothgar?
26. What does the coast-guard agree to do for these men?
27. Any indication of why the men are wearing boar-shapes? (333)
28. The herald and officer named Wulfgar who greats them at Heorot asks the same thing as the coast guard, but gets a
more complete answer. Why repeat the question? What has the story-teller gained through the repeat?
29. Hrothgar gives some of the genealogy. How does he know Beowulf, and what does Hygelac owe Hrothgar? (470)
30. Summarize Beowulf’s resume:
31. He has to get permission from Hrothgar to fight this enemy of Hrothgar’s. Why? One would think Hrothgar wouldn’t
care who fights against Grendel, right?
32. How does Bewoulf plan to fight Grendel?
33. What is the only thing he wants returned to Hygelac?
34. What usually bolsters the men of Hrothgar into pledging to fight against Grendel?
35. Unferth is mirrored in Wormtongue, if you know him from the Lord of the Rings. Foil them.
36. What motivates Unferth?
37. This is a perfect story-telling technique to introduce a story more fully. How does Beowulf cut Unferth off at the
knees?
38. Beowulf’s response is very controlled and logical. How does he give Unferth an excuse for his bad behavior?
How does he discredit him?
39. What does Wealhtheow do when she comes in? In what order does she serve them?
40. He repeats his boast to Wealhtheow. Why the need?
41. Does Hrothgar part with Beowulf with any real hope that Beowulf will win? Explain.
42. For what (two) reasons does Beowulf renounce shield and sword against Grendel?
43. A “spoiler” at line 700 and another commercial for Christianity.
44. We have to suspend our disbelief at line 738-745. Why?
45. Why can’t Beowulf’s men help him?
46. What did they not know about Grendel? (800)
47. How is Grendel defeated, exactly?
48. How do the men celebrate the victory?
49. What does the bard spend the day doing?
50. Why is Sigemund and appropriate choice of hero to sing about?
51. Hrothgar adopts Beowulf “in my heart as a dear son.” What do you think the Danes think of this?
52. How is community symbolized in the refurbishing of the hall?
53. At the bottom of page 67 is another foreshadowing of things to come. Just as the hall will eventually burn to the
ground, so will the people of Hrothgar fine and end. How ?
54. List the gifts Beowulf is given.
BEOWULF study guide, con’t
55. The story of Hildeburh foreshadows the next event. Summarize the main point of the story:
56. What motivates Wealhtheow to speak?
57. What new gifts are given?
58. Whom does Grendel’s mother snatch?
59. What else does she take, and why?
60. What information does Hrothgar share that he probably have shared earlier?
61. Where does she live?
62. Look at Beowulf’s speech, lines 1385-90. Is he a man of action, or insensitive?
63. How do they find her mere?
64. What do they find of Aeschere?
65. What also lives in the mere?
66. What does Unferth lend Beowulf?
67. Last time Beowulf asked that they return his chain mail to his home. What does he ask this time to be returned as
part of his last will ?
68. Where is he when he is in the mere?
69. Why does Hrunting fail, do you think?
70. How does she attack?
71. What kills her—where is she wounded? (Parallel to Aeschere)
72. A light appears at 1570. Why, do you think?
73. What does Beowulf take from the underwater cave? What does he leave there, and what does this say about him?
74. Meanwhile. topside, why do the men leave the mere?
75. Who stays, and why is this important?
76. Beowulf is contrasted with Heremond. This is foreshadowing.
77. Hrothgar gives advice. What?
78. What is the “theme” from the story of Modthryth?
79. The story of the killing of Grendle changes a bit in the telling. Where are the differences?
80. At one point, Beowulf gossips a bit. What does he think will happen with the Geats?