Name _______________________________
Dunn AP12
Date _____
Period ____
Beowulf Discussion Questions
In addition to preparing notes for discussion, try to decide on at least two themes
and four important symbols in the poem.
1) What is the status of gold and gift-giving in the poem? Who gives gifts, who receives
them, and why? Are the modern concepts of wealth, payment, monetary worth, and
greed appropriate for the world of Beowulf?
2) Wealtheow, Hygd, Hildeburh, and Grendel’s mother. What do the women in Beowulf
do? How do they do it? Do they offer an alternate perspective of the heroic world
(centered around male action) of the poem?
3) Look at the religious references in Beowulf, what are the names for God? What
biblical events are mentioned and who mentions them? What specifically pagan practices
(sacrifice, augury, ritual, etc.) are described? What is the relationship to God(s)? Why
would a Christian author write about a pagan hero? Does the heroic code conflict with
Christian sensibility?
4) Why would Beowulf rather be a hero than a king? What is the difference? Discuss
the social hierarchy as presented in the text. How does it differ from social relationships
and structure today?
5) Is Beowulf more interesting as a piece of historical knowledge or as a piece of art?
Discuss the literary techniques used as well as the historical information that is presented
in the poem. Is Beowulf canonical?