11th Grade Honors English
Summer Reading Assignment
Central Dauphin East High School
Required Reading:
Beowulf- Anonymous
Grendel-John Gardner
Directions: Get brief, easy-to-understand definitions and write sentences
for each of the following words. These are due the first day
upon your return to school.
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Note:
omen
fate
mead
sentinel
shroud (v.)
reprisal
oppress
writhe
loathsome
gape (v.)
resound
pyre
hoard (n.) & (v.)
brood (v.)
stately
hilt
fettered (adj.)
exult
imperious
sack
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pagan
reproach
cavernous
malice
herald (v.)
heathen
nihilism
existentialism
belligerent
infallible
petulant
demented
blight (n.) & (v.)
tedium
decorum
inexorable
dogmatic
blasphemy
purge
dismal
You must read Beowulf first in order to understand Grendel. Also
note that you do not need to pay attention the multitude of names
given in Beowulf. The only key names to pay attention to are
Beowulf, King Hrothgar, Grendel, and Unferth (near the end). Trying
to remember all of the names will drive you crazy. However, you
should pay attention to the moral lessons revealed when side stories
are told about other kings and warriors (good and bad).
Questions to Consider
The following questions will help you prepare for any tests or papers upon your return
to school. Completing these are beneficial both for discussions of the books and for
subsequent tests and papers. These will be graded. Please write your answers in complete
sentences on a separate sheet of paper.
Beowulf Questions
1. Since no definitive description of Grendel exists, what do you imagine Grendel looks
like? What clues in the book suggest his appearance?
2. When the Viking legend of Beowulf was finally written down by an English monk in
800 A.D., it was a time when pagan cultures were meshing with the dominant
Christian culture. Therefore, Christian concepts were incorporated into this legend
about a pagan hero. What values of Christianity does Beowulf embody? What does
Fate represent to Beowulf?
3. What qualities of Grendel and his mother make them seem more human than
animal?
4. Beowulf has many heroic qualities. Cite several and explain how you know this
about him (i.e. what actions or words made you draw this conclusion).
5. Although Beowulf is heroic, some modern readers see negative qualities in him.
What are some of these negative qualities?
6. One could argue that the “monsters” in Beowulf (Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and
the dragon) are merely facets of the dark side of humanity. Explain what negative
traits each represents.
7. After reading Beowulf, what qualities can you assume the Anglo-Saxons valued in a
leader? Are these values still respected today?
8. What purpose(s) did the teller of this tale have in recounting it? Political? Historical?
Religious or cultural indoctrination? Entertainment?
Grendel Questions
1. How does Grendel’s philosophy about life change after his visit to the dragon?
2. What does the dragon represent?
3. What is the Shaper’s purpose? Why is Grendel so enamored by the Shaper’s songs
and visions?
4. Why does Grendel become angry with the shaper after his visit with the dragon?
5. Why does the dragon consider humans (and Grendel) inferior creatures? (Reread
pages 59-69).
6. Grendel decides to play games with Unferth and let him forever remain a coward.
Reread their discussions about heroism and poetry on pages 83-90. What do
Grendel and Unferth reveal about heroism?