Beowulf (Part One)
Give line numbers where you find your answers!
1. Why does the mead-hall, Herot, stay empty for 12 years? What is your evidence?
2. How does Grendel’s inability to touch King Hrothgar’s throne relate to the main
theme of ‘good vs. evil’?
3. Describe the songs being sung in Herot. How does their content contrast with
Grendel and his world?
4. What significance can you see in the fact that Grendel attacks at night?
5. Define imagery. Cite images describing Grendel that associate him with death or
darkness and explain the association.
6. Explain how “epic boasting” relates to what the Anglo-Saxons believed about fame. Give
an example of “epic boasting” when Beowulf first speaks to Hrothgar.
7. What are Beowulf’s motives in aiding Hrothgar? How do they suggest an Anglo-Saxon
idea of heroism?
8. What does Beowulf ask Hrothgar to allow him to do? How does his asking the
king, instead of simply doing it demonstrate one of the Anglo-Saxon values?
9. What method does Beowulf swear to use to fight Grendel? What is his
motivation for using this method?
10. Find details [imagery] from the epic that describe Grendel as he enters Herot on
that last fateful night. Explain how this imagery enhances the theme of ‘good vs.
evil.’
11. Contrast Grendel’s attitude and actions as he eats the Geat (first man) with his
attitude and actions as he finds himself caught by Beowulf.
12. List five or six points [in detail] from the epic that describe the battle between
Grendel and Beowulf.
13. How did Beowulf’s men demonstrate an important Anglo-Saxon value as he battled the
monster? Why were their actions useless?
14. How do listeners to the epic know that Beowulf defeated Grendel? What Anglo-Saxon value
does Beowulf demonstrate with this final action? What trophy did he keep?