Beowulf
Study Guide 3 of 4
Lines 1191 - 1250
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More gifts are heaped on Beowulf; as we have seen, the giving of material goods is frequent in
this work. Why do you suppose critics see this emphasis on the giving of treasures as a pagan
practiced as opposed to a Christian practice?
What makes the reader think that the queen is naïve when she makes the following comment:
“Here each comrade is true to the other, / loyal to lord, loving in spirit” (1228 – 1229)? What
literary element is used here?
What may the following foreshadow: “Men were drinking wine / at that rare feast; how could they
know fate, / the grim shape of things to come / as night approached and King Hrothgar prepared /
to retire to his quarters” (1232 – 1237)?
Lines 1251 - 1382
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For what reason does the narrator say that Grendel’s mother comes to the mead hall?
Beowulf greets Hrothgar the next morning by asking if God has finally given him peace. What is
the King’s response?
What does the King ask of Beowulf?
Lines 1383 - 1556
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This section opens with Beowulf expressing some of his philosophy. What two points does he
make?
At this point, Unferth seems to have a change of heart because he gives a special sword to
Beowulf. What contrast does the narrator make between Unferth and Beowulf?
What saves Beowulf when the mighty sword given to him fails, and he is about to be slain by the
monster?
Lines 1557 - 1650
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Beowulf spots a sword belonging to Grendel’s mother that appears mightier than any other sword.
He grabs it and kills the monster. What happens immediately after she dies that seems to suggest
of symbolize the work of God?
After Beowulf finds the body of Grendel and cuts off its head, the action shifts to the surface of
the lake. What happens there?
When the action moves back to the underwater hall, what happens to the sword that has been used
to kill the monster? What appears to have caused it?
Lines 1651 - 1812
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After acknowledging God’s help in his victory, Beowulf gives Hrothgar the hilt of the magical
sword. After Hrothgar reads about the fight between good and evil inscribed on the sword, a wise
man delivers a sermon to Beowulf. What is the point of this sermon?
Unferth, son of Ecglaf, gives Beowulf a mighty sword. What does Beowulf’s acceptance of the
sword demonstrate about him?
Lines 1813 - 1887
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Beowulf, who speaks modestly and generously, impresses Hrothgar with wisdom. Hrothgar
responds, “I have never heard / so young a man make truer observations” (1842-1843). In what
way is Beowulf’s leaving quite different from his arrival?
Lines 1888 - 2142
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Beowulf returns home and goes to the court of Hygelac. What does Hygelac ask him? Before
Beowulf leaves, how does Hygelac view the situation?
Beowulf relates a tale about a wedding that is set up to end the feud. What does he conclude about
such weddings?
What two points does Beowulf mention, which suggest Grendel was huge and fierce?