Name
Date
“The Wrath of Grendel”
Directions: Answer the following questions. Refer to lines 1-103. Continue
writing your answers on the back of this page if necessary.
1. What images does the poet use to contrast Grendel and his world and the
Danes and their world in lines 1 through 13?
2. Who is Hrothgar and what is Herot?
3. What Christian and pagan references do the poet use to describe Grendel
in lines 19 through 29?
4. Who is winning the battle between Hrothgar and Grendel? How did the
winner accomplish his victory? Can you think of any situation today that
is similar to what is happening in Hrothgar’s Denmark?
5. What is different between the poet’s description of the world at the
beginning of the poem and his description in lines 59 to 78? What is the
cause of this change in description?
6. Describe the situation in Denmark at the end of “The Wrath of Grendel.”
What is being done to remedy the situation?
Name
Date
“The Coming of Beowulf”
Directions: Answer the following questions. Refer to lines 104 – 284.
Continue writing your answers on the back of this page if
necessary.
2. Why do you think Beowulf decides to go and fight Grendel?
2. Describe the sea and scenery in lines 125 – 144. What could this
foreshadow? (Remember: “foreshadow” means “hint about what is to
come”.)
3. Why does Beowulf give a big introduction for himself in lines 237 – 255?
What does this say about his personality?
4. Why does Beowulf insist on using his own men?
5. What heroic qualities do you see in Beowulf?
6. Would you consider Beowulf a good leader? Why or why not?
Name
Date
“The Battle with Grendel”
Directions: Answer the following questions. Refer to lines 285 - 410.
Continue writing your answers on the back of this page if
necessary.
3. What is the surprise that Grendel finds at Herot? (lines 291 – 295)
2. What does it mean that “fate, that night, intended/Grendel to gnaw the
broken bones/Of his last human supper? (lines 309 – 311)
3. Who is the “wakeful sleeper” in lines 320 - 324?
4. How does Grendel feel about his encounter with Beowulf? (lines 325 –
331)
5. What happens in lines 360 -368?
6. Read lines 383 – 385. Why is a reference to “Almighty God” made here?
How does this tie into the Christian theme of this epic poem?
7. What does Grendel do right after the battle? (lines 393 –397)
8. What is Beowulf’s “proof” of his victory over Grendel? (lines 404 – 410)
Name
Date
“The Monster’s Lair” and “The Battle with Grendel’s Mother”
Directions: Answer the following questions. Refer to lines 411 to 622.
Continue writing your answers on the back of this page if
necessary.
4. Describe Grendel’s lair (den). (lines 424 – 440)
2. What does Beowulf ask Hrothgar to do in the event that he is killed while
battling Grendel’s mother? (lines 450 – 465)
3. Explain what happens in lines 469 – 491.
4. What do lines 507 – 509 mean? “So fame/Comes to the men who mean to
win it/And care about nothing else!”
5. Read lines 518 –529. What is it that prevents Beowulf from being killed
here?
6. What does Beowulf use to fight Grendel’s mother? (lines 530 – 542)
7. What does Beowulf do when he stumbles upon Grendel’s dead body? (lines
548 –562)
8. What is the “wonderful sight in lines 615 – 622?
Name
Date
“The Last Battle”
Directions: Answer the following questions. Refer to lines 623 to 775.
Continue writing your answers on the back of this page if
necessary.
5. Read the italicized words on page 40. What happens to Beowulf when he
returns home (to Sweden) after his victory over Grendel’s mother?
2. Read lines 623 – 628 and 645 – 647. How do these sections emphasize
Beowulf’s conceitedness?
3. What happens in lines 692 – 699?
4. What does Beowulf hope to get out of this battle with the dragon? (lines
647 –649)
5. Who is Wiglaf? What is he going to do for Beowulf? (lines 714 – 722)
6. Read lines 754 – 764. How do these lines show Wiglaf’s allegiance to
Beowulf and the alligiance of the rest of Beowulf’s men?
Name
Date
“The Spoils” and “Farewell”
Directions: Answer the following questions. Refer to lines 775 to 842.
Continue writing your answers on the back of this page if
necessary.
6. What does Wiglaf take from the dragon’s den? (lines 796 – 799)
2. What happens to the dragon? (lines 800 – 805)
3. How does Beowulf feel about the outcome of this battle? Does he think
it was fought in vain? (lines 810 – 821)
4. What is Beowulf’s last request? (lines 821 – 830)
5. What does Beowulf leave Wiglaf? (lines 831 – 834)
6. What do you think was the main reason the scops continued to tell the
tale of Beowulf? (lines 861-869)
Name
Date
Beowulf Worksheet
1. Find 3 kennings for Beowulf.
1.
2.
3.
2. Find 3 kennings for Grendel
a.
b.
c.
3. Find 2 examples of alliteration.
1.
2.
4. Find any example of the mixing of pagan and Christian elements in
Beowulf?