Beowulf Final Assessment
You will get to choose (and be assigned) one of the following questions or thesis statements.
You are to write a five paragraph essay addressing that question / thesis statement.
Questions
1. The influence of Christianity in Beowulf. Some scholars believe that Beowulf was
written by a Christian monk who added Christian elements to the story. How do
these element affect the poem?
2. The role of Women in Beowulf. Examine the female characters in Beowulf. Do
women play an important role in the poem? Is this consistent with their roles in
today’s society?
3. Monsters of Beowulf. Consider the qualities of the three monsters. Why does
the poet give Grendel and his mother human qualities? What do each of their
homes say about them as foes for Beowulf?
4. Good vs. Evil. How are the concepts of good and evil presented in Beowulf?
Does this reveal anything about Anglo-Saxon society?
5. Mortality. What role does the concept of mortality play in Beowulf?
6. Characteristics of an epic hero. Epic heroes have many common characteristics.
How do Beowulf’s heroic qualities affect the story? Look at Beowulf in terms of
the heroic quest. Does he undergo change?
7. Jesus vs. Beowulf. Look at Beowulf as a sort of Christ figure. What are the
similarities? How are they both heroic in nature?
8. Battles with monsters. In Beowulf’s three fights with three monsters he uses
different methods, techniques, and weapons, and he wins different “trophies” each
time. Analyze these differences and explain what this says about his development
as a hero.
9. How does treasure function in Beowulf? How do the characters and the poet seem
to feel about the element of gold, as it appears throughout the poem? How does
money affect society today?
10. In Beowulf what are the consequences of seeking revenge? What other ways might
problems be worked out?
11. How does the poet use the theme of revenge in the poem? Consider the motivation
of characters such as Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, as well as
Beowulf.
12. Write an essay describing the importance of reputation to the characters in
Beowulf, using examples from the text.
13. Write an essay in which you analyze the importance of one of Beowulf ’s symbols—
Herot, Grendel (especially his claw and head), the lair of Grendel and his mother, or
the dragon’s hoard.
Topics/Thesis statements
14. Beowulf is steeped in a pagan tradition that depicts nature as hostile and forces of
death as uncontrollable. Blind fate picks random victims; man is never reconciled
with the world thereforeBeowulf is a failure.
15. Beowulf is the story of a dual ordeal: an external battle with vicious opponents
and an internal battle with human tendencies of pride, greed, cowardice, betrayal,
and self-concern.
16. Beowulf is the universal story of man’s journey from adolescence to adulthood to
old age. It charts the growth in wisdom about self and the world gained through
the pain and triumph of experience.
17. Beowulf represents the successful blending of pagan and Christian elements.
These elements were often incorporated side-by-side in the epic. Describe and
explain the placement of these elements including readers’ acceptance of both.
18. Beowulf is the blending of Christian traditions with a story that extols virtues of
loyalty, courage, and faith in the face of extreme dangers and even death. It
presents a model of man willing to die to deliver his fellow men from terrifying evil
forces.
Requirements:

5 paragraphs

12 point Times New Roman Font

Double spaced

1” margins

Formal heading

Correct header on each page

Title
Each paragraph is required to have:

1 complex sentence

1 compound sentence

At least six sentences

Over half of the sentence in each paragraph must have at least eight well chosen
words per sentence.
Your verbs must be consistent
You MUST include quotes from your novel as support. (Remember that your quotes should
not be an entire sentence, but integrated into your sentences.)
Due: Outline: 9/11
Rough Draft: 9/16 (Outline must be corrected and signed when you turn in
your packet.)
Final: 9/18