ENG 208—Baker
Study Guide
Beowulf 2
Name:______________________________
1. Are there any ways in which Hildeburh is also like Grendel’s mother? Does the poet
describe her in any way that is intended to arouse our sympathy?
2. Where does Grendel’s mother live? In what ways is the location similar to some
underworlds we’ve studied?
3. What does Unferth give to Beowulf before he descends into the lake? How has that story
of a swimming competition come back to haunt both Beowulf and Unferth?
4. What two things does Beowulf find in the cave of Grendel’s mother, war prizes that he
carries back with him to the surface?
5. When Beowulf returns to Hygelac’s country, he retells the story of his adventures, but adds
that Hrothgar’s daughter Freawaru is engaged to be married to Ingeld, the leader of the
Heatho-Bards, a tribe against which Hrothgar’s Danes has long been feuding. Does
Beowulf believe that the marriage will resolve the feud? Why or why not?
6. How does Hygelac reward Beowulf after he returns from defeating Grendel? What gift or
mark of respect he is very pointedly not given?
7. Beowulf has been well prepared to fight the dragon in his own lands by his combat with
Grendel and Grendel’s mother. Over what treasure does this dragon rule? What is the
symbolism of such a mission to Beowulf? for the reader?
8. What vow does Wiglaf, Beowulf’s follower or “thane,” make as he enters the fray with the
dragon? What are the merits, to the individual and the society, of such an attitude? In
what ways might it also be detrimental?
9. Beowulf is unable to use his sword against the dragon, not because he vows to use only his
bare hands as with Grendel, but because the force of his own thrusting arm is too much for
the sword to bear. What does this tell us about Beowulf’s character, both his strengths and
his weaknesses?
10. Why does Beowulf want to see the dragon’s treasure before he dies? What do his people
plan to do with it? Do you sense any conflicting attitudes among his followers or from the
bard about how to treat this store of wealth?