Name ___________________________________
Torres
English IV, Period __________________
Date ____________________________________
Beowulf Questions:
“The Final Battle”/“Beowulf’s Last Battle,” “The Death of Beowulf,” & “Mourning Beowulf”
Directions: Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of notebook paper. Respond
in complete sentences. [Textbook pages 62-70]
1. What gesture does Beowulf extend to his warriors? How does this keep with AngloSaxon warrior ideals?
2. The odds are against Beowulf at this point. Why does he continue to fight?
3. Why is Beowulf not able to fight this battle barehanded, as he would like?
4. How does Beowulf feel about fighting under these limitations?
5. How do Beowulf’s words in lines 674-687 communicate that he has remained the epitome
of the epic hero?
6. Discuss the symbolism of Beowulf’s battle cry.
7. Describe the battle between Beowulf and the dragon.
8. What foreshadowing do we have of Beowulf’s defeat?
9. How do Beowulf’s weapons fail him? How is his sword personified?
10. With what attitude does Beowulf face death?
11. What renews the dragon’s resolve?
12. How do Beowulf’s men exhibit “unwarriorlike” behavior in this confrontation?
13. What is the motive for their actions?
14. Why do you suppose the writer meant to suggest with the one, lone, remaining warrior?
15. Who is this lone warrior?
16. Which thoughts spring to mind as he watches Beowulf’s struggle?
17. Why does Wiglaf decide to fight side-by-side with Beowulf?
18. What do Beowulf’s warriors boast about in the mead hall?
19. What oaths have his men broken?
20. According to Wiglaf, why is Beowulf not able to defeat this dragon by himself?
21. What does Wiglaf swear to do at line 780? What Anglo-Saxon ideals do Wiglaf’s final
words uphold?
22. What do Wiglaf and Beowulf accomplish together?
23. What happens to Beowulf in the process?
24. What request does Beowulf make of Wiglaf? What are his motives?
25. Why does Wiglaf hurry back to Beowulf? How does he revive him?
26. How do the monk’s words come through in Beowulf’s dying words?
27. What is comitatus? How does Beowulf keep this code?
28. What honor does Beowulf bestow upon Wiglaf?
29. What arrangements does Beowulf bestow on Wiglaf?
30. What is the significance of lines 817-820?
31. Why does Beowulf call Wiglaf the “last of all our far-flung family”? Consider both literal
and symbolic meanings.
32. Explain “He would sleep in the fire, soon.”
33. Pretend you are Wiglaf. What words do you have for Beowulf’s faithless warriors?
34. How do the Geats keep Beowulf’s last request?
35. How do the Geats honor Beowulf?