Beowulf Reading Guide Questions, pp. 62-70 KEY
Beowulf’s Last Battle (pp. 62-65)
1.
When does Beowulf become King of the Geats and for how long does he reign in peace?
When his uncle and cousin die; 50 years
2.
What prompts the fire-breathing dragon to terrorize the Geats?
A thief steals a cup from a treasure trove he has been guarding for hundreds of years.
3.
What does line 609 reveal about the top priority of a warrior?
Fame (immortality) is the most important thing to a warrior.
4.
Why doesn’t Beowulf feel shame in fighting the fire-breathing dragon with weapons?
Dragon will be breathing breath that is hot and poisonous; he will not run from his shooting flames
5.
State the alliteration in line 625.
We shall see, soon, who will survive
6.
What is Beowulf’s “mind set” or “attitude” as he approaches the fire-breathing dragon?
“heart is firm”, “hands are calm”, “does not need hot words”; no one but Beowulf could fight
and defeat this monster
7.
What will be Beowulf’s reward for putting an end to the fire-breathing dragon?
All of the dragon’s treasure
8.
What are the conditions as Beowulf approaches the entrance?
Huge arches; feel the dragon’s breath; too hot for anyone to stand; streaming current of fire
and smoke blocked all passage
9.
How does Beowulf approach the fire-breathing dragon?
Roars out a loud and clear battle cry, lowered his sword, puts shield in place and faces the entrance
10. What happens to Beowulf’s shield?
Begins to melt
11. How is this battle different from any of Beowulf’s previous battles?
Beowulf fought with fate against him, with glory denied him
12. Does this affect Beowulf? Explain.
No, he continues to fight.
13. What additional action occurs that indicates fate is against Beowulf?
The blade of the sword broke before it had gone deep enough into the fire-breathing dragon’s hide.
14. State the kenning on line 678.
Geats’ ring-giver
15. On line 686, what metaphor indicates the eternal perspective of life?
Life = few brief hours on earth
16. Why is Beowulf described on line 691 as a “beaten warrior”?
Beowulf falls back (no weapons, etc.) wrapped in “swirling flames”;
None of his comrades came to help him; they fled for their lives.
17. Who remains behind and why?
Wiglaf remembers everything Beowulf has done for him and has given to him – armor, gold, land
18. Of what had the men boasted? (lines 709-713)
Of their own bravery when Beowulf needed them;
Repaying Beowulf when the time came (kindness for kindness)
19. What previous relationship existed between these men and Beowulf?
These men were chosen by Beowulf and “allowed” to join him. He believed these men had
character, weight to their words, trust in their swords and their promises. Beowulf saw them
as soldiers, as men.
20. How is Wiglaf trying to motivate the men to help Beowulf?
Convincing them that Beowulf does not deserve an “end” like this; they swore to be there for each other,
indirectly calls them cowards (“…to run back to our homes with Beowulf so hard-pressed here?)
21. Define the word connotation. What is the connotation of slain? What is the connotation of butchered?
The images or feelings connected to a word; slain means “killed violently or in large numbers”
while butchered means “killed viciously”.
The Death of Beowulf (pp. 66-69)
22. How is the fire-breathing dragon defeated?
Wiglaf strikes the dragon; he and Beowulf put an end to the dragon
23. What happens to Beowulf in the battle against the fire-breathing dragon?
Beowulf is mortally wounded in the neck
24. What is the meaning of the line “…he’d unwound/His string of days on earth” (lines 737-738)? What
literary element or device is used in these lines?
His life has come to an end; imagery
25. What evidence does Beowulf provide characterizing his rule as king?
No people threatened the Geats for 50 years, swore no unholy oaths, leave this life happy, never
washed his sword in blood born of his own family
26. Why does Beowulf command Wiglaf to get the fire-breathing dragon’s treasure?
Wants to look at the last of all prizes for which he has given his life
27. What theme is indicated or suggested in lines 768-778?
Good versus evil
28. What treasures does Wiglaf bring back from the fire-breathing dragon’s trove?
Heavy plates, golden cups, glorious banner, etc.
29. What Christian elements are present in Beowulf’s dying words?
Thanks Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth; acknowledges that God’s grace has provided
treasure for the people
30. Whom does Beowulf want to rule his kingdom?
Wiglaf
31. What are Beowulf’s dying requests?
For the Geats to build a tomb (tower) on the water’s edge so sailors can see it and remember
Beowulf’s name
32. What is given to Wiglaf to indicate the passing of Beowulf’s legacy?
Golden necklace from his neck and gold-covered helmet, rings, and mail shirt.
33. State the alliteration in lines 824-825.
Far-flung family/Fate
34. How did Beowulf’s men, who had betrayed him, react to his death?
Came like shamefaced jackals to wait for Wiglaf’s words
35. What Christian references are made concerning Beowulf’s departure from this world?
“His soul left his flesh, flew to glory…”
Lord’s will; world and man all move as He orders (always have and always will)
36. As he addresses the men, how does Wiglaf feel about them?
Angry with them; feels that they are without courage; considers them to be traitors
37. What are the consequences for the men who did not support Beowulf in his final battle?
Giving of estates, swords, and rings is over for these men and anyone who shares their blood;
will have nothing left but their lives
38. How will their lives be “branded”?
With disgrace – brought dishonor to their king, kingdom, and families; death would be better for them
39. What are the final appropriate kennings describing Beowulf?
Bold ring-giver; mighty war-king
40. Why is Beowulf’s death described as “glorious”?
Died with honor fighting against the forces of evil for his people
Mourning Beowulf (p. 70)
41. Along with Beowulf’s ashes, what else was left at the tower the Geats built to honor Beowulf?
The riches he and Wiglaf had won from the dragon, rings, necklaces; ancient, hammered
armor; all the treasures they’d taken
42. What responsibility was given to twelve of the bravest Geats?
To tell stories of their dead king, Beowulf, of his greatness, his glory, praising him for his heroic deeds
Beowulf Character Chart continued
Character
Wiglaf
Description
Wextan’s son, good soldier, only one to stand with Beowulf against the fire-breathing
dragon, became king after Beowulf’s death
Beowulf Vocabulary Strategy:
The Anglo-Saxon Suffix –some
Many English words with Anglo-Saxon word parts were born whole into Old English, changing slightly
over time. Others developed from the combination of Old English word parts during the time when
people spoke Middle English. The adjective-forming suffix –some, which means “like” or “tending to
cause,” appears in both types of words. In Old English, -sum occurred in the word wynsum (today’s
winsome). Later, the Middle English word loth (“to feel disgust”) combined with the Old English –sum to
make lothsum: “tending to cause disgust.” Though the spelling has changed over time, loathsome has the
same meaning today.
Directions: Use an adjective ending in the suffix –some to describe each person, place, or thing listed.
Form the adjective by adding –some to a word shown in the equation.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a load of books to carry B. burdensome
a city skyline sparking in the sun A. awesome
a person who always argues D. quarrelsome
a smile that charms people E. winsome
a cockroach C. loathesome
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
awe
burden
loathe
quarrel
win
+ -some
Beowulf Vocabulary in Context
Directions: Using the margin notes in the textbook, complete the chart. Then, use the vocabulary words
to complete each sentence.
Vocabulary
Word
affliction
Part
of Speech
noun
Definition
gorge
verb
infamous
adjective
lair
noun
livid
adjective
discolored from being bruised
loathsome
adjective
disgusting
purge
verb
to cleanse or rid of something undesirable
talon
noun
a claw
a force that oppresses or causes suffering
to stuff with food; glut
having a very bad reputation
the den or resting place of a wild animal
1.
The long-suffering Danes prayed that someone could kill the monster that was their affliction.
2.
The hungry monster attacked the warriors, eager to gorge himself on their bodies.
3.
Everyone had heard of the infamous Grendel. His evil deeds were well known.
4.
After seizing his prey, Grendel returned to his lair to devour it.
5.
The fierce hand-to-hand battle left Beowulf with a livid wound.
6.
The moor where Grendel lived was so loathsome that no human could stand to go near it.
7.
To help the Danes, Beowulf promised to purge the evil that was troubling them.
8.
The monster used his sharp talon to scratch and tear his victims.