Name ________________________________________ Period ___________
Beowulf Critical Analysis Questions -- Grendel
Alliteration: repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words.
Mood: feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader
Tone: the author’s attitude toward the character or subject
1. Page 5 -- Write down examples of alliteration in lines 1-3.
2. What mood does the alliteration help to convey? Explain your response.
3. Page 6 -- Reread the boxed text (lines 23-29) and think about the supernatural creatures
that are “again and again defeated.” What universal theme might these lines suggest?
4. Page 7 (line 64) -- (A kenning is a metaphorical compound word or phrase in Old English
poetry. It takes the place of a simple noun, such as a name. For example, in Beowulf “sinstained demon” is a kenning used in place of the monster Grendel’s name.) What does the
kenning “hell-forged hands” suggest about Grendel?
5. (lines 79-85) -- Create a small chart labeled Good/Evil. List words from these lines that
describe Good and those that describe Evil.
6. Page 8 (95-103) -- What does the Beowulf poet seem to be saying about the heathens’
chances for a resolution to their problem with Grendel?
Name ________________________________________ Period ___________
Beowulf Critical Analysis Questions -- BEOWULF
1. (109-116) -- Name two traits of an epic hero that Beowulf possesses:
2. Page 9 (134-141) -- What is the poet’s tone in relation to his attitude to Beowulf based on
the way the character’s actions are described?
3. Page 10 (149-160) -- Why do you think people of Beowulf’s time valued the kind of
superhuman strength described in this section?
4. Beowulf insists that “my hands/Alone shall fight for me.” In your opinion, is this promise
courageous or foolish? Why?
Name ________________________________________ Period ___________
Beowulf Critical Analysis Questions –
THE BATTLE WITH GRENDEL
1. Page 13 (273-278) -- A kenning is a metaphorical compound word or phrase that takes
the place of a simple noun. Give two examples of kennings found in this section. Explain
what makes it a kenning.
2.
Page 14 (293-305) – List words and phrases that help you visualize Herot.
3. Contrast Herot with Grendel’s home. (be descriptive – use your Smiley Face Tricks)
4. Page 15 (334-345) – Reread the passage. List examples of imagery the poet uses to help
you visualize the defeat of Grendel.
5. What character traits does Beowulf reveal during the battle with Grendel?
6. What character traits does Beowulf reveal after the battle with Grendel?
7. Page 16 (389-396) – Reread the passage. In what ways does the description of the old
soldier’s storytelling reflect the characteristics of epic poetry? Explain your response.
Name ________________________________________ Period ___________
Beowulf Critical Analysis Questions -- GRENDEL’S MOTHER
1. Page 17 – Make a list of vivid words and details (specific imagery) that help you
visualize the rampage of Grendel’s mother.
2. Do you think she should be judged as harshly for her actions as Grendel was for his?
Explain.
3. Page 18 (425-443) – List words in the passage that create a vivid impresson of the
lake where Grendel’s mother lives.
4. Page 18 (425-443) -- Why might the Beowulf poet have chosen to include such a long
description of the lake? Explain your response.
Name ________________________________________ Period ___________
Beowulf Critical Analysis Questions -The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
1. Page 19 (453-473) – Reread the passage. List details of the battle and its setting that
are characteristic of an epic.
2. Using this same passage, list a detail of grand-scale setting.
3. Using this same passage, list a detail of powerful, supernatural enemies.
4. Using this same passage, list a detail of the hero’s superhuman feat.
5. Page 20 -- In what ways does Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mother differ from his
earlier battle with her son?
6. Page 21 -- Why do you think Hrothgar’s men lose faith in Beowulf and leave the lake,
while Beowulf’s men remain?
7. Page 22 – Why do you think the Geats want the Danes to see Grendel’s head?
Explain.
8. Page 23 – What do you think Beowulf’s followers should have done when he
described his plans to fight the dragon alone? Explain.
9. Page 24 -- What are your own thoughts about Beowulf’s actions at this point in the
narrative? Is he behaving the way a wise king should?
10. Page 24 (633-651) – Reread the passage. List examples of imagery the poet uses to
set the stage for Beowulf’s last climactic battle.
11. Now, write 3 adjectives that describe the dragon.
12. Three adjectives that describe Beowulf?
13. Page 25 (678-686) – Reread the passage. List the words that describe Beowulf’s
feelings as he “stared at death” (note: the directions in the book state to circle the
words – not ALL of them are appropriate for this description).
Beowulf Critical Analysis Questions –
The Death of Beowulf
1. Page 27 (755-763) – Reread the passage. What does this reference to material
rewards (as well as other references to riches elsewhere in the poem) tell you about
the Anglo-Saxon’s view of treasures? Explain.
2. Page 28 (789-793) – Referencing this passage, what is the kenning that refers to
Beowulf?
3. What is the kenning that refers to the dragon?
4. What do these descriptions emphasize abut each character?
5. Page 29 – Do you agree with Beowulf when he says that he sold his life well? Why or
why not?
6. List the line #s in which Beowulf describes the legacy he wishes others to construct in
his memory.
7. Why is it important for leaders to leave legacies behind? Explain.
8. Page 30 – What universal values does Wiglaf’s speech to the warriors reflect?
MOURNING BEOWULF
9. Page 31 (884-889) – Reread the passage. Describe the tone of these lines?
10. Which of the monsters in this epic did you find the most frightening? Explain why.