Beowulf- Heaney discussion questions
Lines 1-319
1.) Discuss the information about Sheild Sheafson and his lineage. Analyze the
statement, “Behavior that’s admired is the path to the power among people everywhere” (pg.5)
in conjunction with Sheafson’s lineage. Ascertain the validity of this in today’s world.
2.)Examine the data about Grendel: his origin, what incites him to violence against Hrothgar’s
kingdom, and his effect on the kingdom.
3.)Analyze why Grendel does not take over Hrothgar’s throne.
4.)Examine the introduction of the Geat warrior into the plot. Analyze his heroic characteristics.
Lines 320-661
1.) Discuss the reception of Beowulf and his warriors receive in Denmark. What does this
reveal about the Geats and the Danes?
2.) Examine what Beowulf reveals about himself and his purpose in coming to Denmark.
3.) Analyze Hrothgar’s reply to Beowulf and what this implies.
4.) Discuss Unferth’s challenge to Beowulf’s honor and Beowulf’s response. Analyze what this
reveals about both of them.
5.) Allegorical Focus: Examine evidence of the blending of paganism and Christianity in this
section.
6.) Analyze Beowulf’s boast to Wealhtheow, her response, and Hrothgar’s parting words to
Beowulf.
Lines 662-1007
1.) Allegorical focus: Analyze Beowulf’s faith in himself, his faith in God, and his belief in fate.
2.)Allegorical focus: Analyze the metaphorical content in and the significance of the
statement, “But the Lord was weaving a victory on His war-loom for the Weather Geats” (p.47).
3.) Discuss Grendel’s description and characterization, and examine what this reveals about
him.
4.) Discuss the details of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel. Analyze what this battle reveals about
Beowulf, Grendel, and the other Geats.
5.) Compare and contrast Beowulf with Sigemund and King Heremond. Discuss why you think
these two tales are included.
6.) Examine the aftermath of Grendel’s defeat.
Lines 1007-1250
1.) Discuss the mood in Heorot Hall during the victory celebration. Note the foreshadowing of
future events in Hrothgar’s kingdom.
2.) Discuss the gifts Beowulf receives from Hrothgar and Wealhtheow and Beowulf’s response
to these gifts. Analyze the symbolism of each gift.
3.) Note the understatement in the opening lines of the story of Hildeburh. Discuss the tale’s
significance. The story, known as the “Finnsburg episode” is a poem within a poem.
4.) Analyze the uniqueness of Hildeburh’s role. Discuss the fates of the innocent victims of war,
i.e. wives, mothers, children.
5.) Examine the effects of the war. Discuss the terms of the truce between Hengest and Finn
and why it failed. Compare the Danes with exiled soldiers in 20th and 21st century wars.
6.) Discuss the golden torque Beowulf receives: what eventually happens to it, what this
foreshadows, and Wealhtheow’s parting words for Beowulf.
Lines 1251-1491
1.) Analyze the reappearance of evil and its effect in Heorot and on Hrothgar.
2.) Analyze the kennings that characterize Grendel’s mother.
3.) Discuss the country people’s tales about the monsters, and examine their effect on the
Danes.
4.)Analyze the symbolism of the terrain and the creatures in the lake where Grendel’s mother
dwells.
5.) Examine the heroic code by which Beowulf lives as revealed in his response to Hrothgar’s
plea for help.
6.) Discuss Beowulf’s preparations for the battle with Grendel’s mother. Examine Unferth’s role
and what this reveals about him.
7.) Analyze what Beowulf’s parting speech to Hrothgar reveals about both of them.
Lines 1492-1887
1.) Contrast the details of these two events. Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mother and his
fight with Grendel. Analyze Beowulf’s superhuman characteristics and the providential help her
receives.
2.)Analyze the imagery of darkness and light in the battle scene.
3.) Analyze the effects of the triumph of good over evil.
4.) Discuss the reactions of the men who wait for Beowulf to return. Allegorical focus: Note the
reference to the 9th hour.
5.) Analyze the importance of the sword hilt Beowulf gives Hrothgar. Note that the engraving of
the hilt correlates with the Biblical account of the flood in Genesis 6-7.
6.) Analyze Hrothgar’s discourse on the dangers of power and the importance of the story of
Heremod.
7.) Discuss the farewell’s between Hrothgar and Beowulf. Note the foreshadowing in Hrothgar’s
final words, lines 1840-1865.
Lines 1888-2199
1.) Discuss Beowulf’s arrival in Geatland and his reception by King Hygelac.
2.) Analyze the poet’s rationale for including the story of the evil Queen Modthryth.
3.) Discuss evidence of Beowulf’s loyalty to his king and queen and examine the attributes that
make him a classic hero.
4.) Analyze Beowulf’s prophecy concerning a peace-pledge marriage.
5.) Identify examples of Beowulf’s belief in fate.
Line 2200-2537
1.) Discuss the circumstances that lead to Beowulf becoming king of the Geats, and examine
examples of Beowulf’s honor. Note the flashbacks and examine why the poet inserts this
section in the tale of the dragon.
2.) Examine the details leading to the dragon’s attack on the Geats.
3.) Analyze why the original owner of the treasure hid it, and discuss how the dragon got it.
What “tales” do you think the treasure could relate?
4.) Examine Beowulf’s preparation for his conflict with the dragon and why he is confident of
victory. Note the foreshadowing of Beowulf and the dragon.
5.) Discuss the recapitulation of Beowulf’s early days in King Hrethel’s court. Examine the
circumstances leading to Herebeald’s death and why Hrethel failed to seek revenge according
to the law of the blood-feud. Discuss the universality of grief.
6.) Discuss Beowulf’s final address to his companions and analyze why he resolves to fight the
dragon alone.
Lines 2538-2820
1.) Analyze the symbolism of the dragon, Beowulf, and Wiglaf. Note the references to fate.
2.) Examine Wiglaf’s rationale for staying with Beowulf, and discuss his speech to the deserters.
Evaluate Wiglaf’s role.
3.) Analyze Beowulf’s summation of his life and correlate this with the heroic code.
4.) Discuss why Beowulf asks Wiglaf to bring him some of the dragon’s treasure and what
WIglaf finds.
5.) Examine Beowulf’s final request. Why do you think Beowulf makes this request?
Lines 2821-3182
1.) Discuss the return of the deserters and examine Wiglaf’s rebuke. Allegorical focus: Note the
reference to the providence of God.
2.) Analyze the prophecies concerning the Geat kingdom. Discuss the information about the
Geats’ wars with their enemies. Note prior references to the nations mentioned in the prophecy.
3.) Analyze the irony of the dragon’s treasure, and discuss its disposal.
4.) Evaluate Wiglaf’s reflections on Beowulf’s fate and the finalization of Beowulf’s request.