AP Lit
Beowulf Assignment
Discussion Questions
Name_______________________________
As you read the required excerpts from this ancient text, you need to complete the
following tasks:
1. Mark all images of heaven and hell
2. Mark all Christian references
3. Mark all descriptions of Grendel, his mother, and the dragon
4. Mark references to fate (or wryd)
5. Note Heaney’s verse form
Then answer these questions:
Pages 3-57
1. Which characters are the Danes and which ones are the Geats? Draw a
character chart to help you remember.
2. Compare and contrast the mead hall Herot and Grendel’s lair. What do each
represent? What disturbs the monster Grendel? Why is he so resentful of the
Danes?
3. Grendel is an offspring of Cain. Explain this allusion. Knowing how the Anglo
Saxons felt about killing kin—why is this significant?
4. What does Grendel represent? What does Herot represent? What does Beowulf
represent?
5. Where do you find examples of Anglo-Saxon culture in this work so far? Give
specific examples.
6. Read Beowulf’s boast to Hrothgar on pages 29-30. Why is this speech effective in
convincing Hrothgar he is the man for the job?
7. Read Unferth’s taunt next—how does he challenge Beowulf?
8. Read Beowulf’s response—why is this effective? How is all of this just smack-talk?
What does it tell you about Anglo-Saxon culture?
9. Find examples of comitatus and the warrior culture in the poem. Any examples
of interlacing? Be specific.
10. Find three references to Christianity—what is the purpose of these specific
passages?
Pages 87-117
1. How does the episode with Grendel’s mother fit the “wergild” society?
2. Where does she live? Why is this significant? (Consider Joseph Campbell’s
video!!) Mark the description of it.
3. Why does Beowulf go and not Unferth? Be specific
4. What weapon saves Beowulf? How? Does this remind you of any other stories?
5. Where does Beowulf appear selfless in this account? What else motivates him to
risk his life?
6. List three Christian references—what is the purpose of these passages? How do
they fit into the idea of fate? Or do they?
7. What happens to the spoils of war? How is this representative of Anglo-Saxon
society?
Pages 151-213
1. What is the dragon symbolic of here? (Refer to Joseph Campbell’s video!)
2. What is different about this fight for Beowulf? (Other than the obvious!)
3. In what ways is it similar to the earlier battles?
4. What role does fate play here?
5. What role does Wiglaf play in this episode?
6. How long has Beowulf ruled?
7. Describe his funeral? Can you read this as a resurrection of sorts? Explain.