Beowulf: A New Telling
Study Guide
Chapters 12 -13
Chapter 12: Beowulf Goes Home
1. Describe the raven that wakes Beowulf.
Hoarse, grim, cheerless, black, swollen with musical ambition
Has found the will to sing
What is the raven typically associated with?
Death
What do you think this might signify to Beowulf?
Like the Danes, they now have the will to sing after the grim experience with the
monsters
What happens to Beowulf when the raven begins to sing in tune and purely?
His toothache disappears
2. Why does Hrothgar suggest that Beowulf stay in the land of the Danes?
He loves Beowulf like a son. In fact, tears run down Hrothgar’s face as he says
goodbye and he gives him more precious jewels.
Why does Beowulf want to go home?
He misses his home. He pines for his own country.
3. According to Beowulf, why did he challenge Grendel without his sword?
He took the coastguard’s advice that fighting Grendel is like fighting the sea. “Who
ever took a sword to kill the ocean?”
Chapter 13: King Beowulf
4. Why does Beowulf give the king and queen the treasure that he received from
Hrothgar, including the golden collar ( Brisingamen )?
Because Hygelac is Beowulf’s king, the man to whom Beowulf owes loyalty.
Beowulf admits that he won the treasure for his king.
5. What does Beowulf’s king give to him?
As much land as Beowulf could cover in a day’s ride.
Beowulf gets an estate greater than any Geat, including the king.
What is the one gift from the Danes that Beowulf keeps? Why do you think he
keeps this one?
The golden ring from Queen Wealhtheow – he could not part with it.
6. Who are the Friesians? What happens to King Hygelac when he attempts to
retaliate?
They live in a province near the Netherlands and are fierce cunning invaders.
They burned and plundered the Geat’s land – they came in the night on ships.
King Hygelac was ambushed, the Geats were outnumbered and Hygelac was killed.
7. Why does Beowulf refuse the throne?
He does not want to take it when the rightful heir lives
What does it mean to be a usurper?
To wrongfully or forcefully take the place of someone
What ultimately happens to King Hardred?
He was too nice – his virtue killed him.
He was killed after taking in two nephews who needed asylum from Sweden and
their Uncle Onela. Onela retaliated against the Geats and Hardred. Hardred was
killed by Onela’s axe in battle.
8. Why does Beowulf agree to take the throne when asked this time?
 He could not leave his people without a leader
 To avenge the attacks by Onela
 He was the only man who could do the job and the Geats justice
 Now that the rightful heir was killed he could have the throne without
usurping