Beowulf Packet of Activities
SETTING A PURPOSE
Read to discover the qualities that make Beowulf a hero.
BACKGROUND
Did You Know?
Beowulf contains one of the earliest instances in English of a flyting—a dispute, or an exchange of
personal abuse, in verse. In part 8, the Danish warrior Unferth calls Beowulf a “boastful fool” and taunts
him for undertaking and losing a reckless swimming match. Beowulf responds by telling how the match
really went, accusing Unferth of fratricide, and faulting him for lacking the heart to confront Grendel.
LITERARY TERMINOLOGY
Epic
In its strict use by literary critics, the term epic is applied to a work that meets at least the following
criteria: it is a long narrative poem an a great and serious subject, related in an elevated style, and
centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the
human race. The "traditional epics" (also called "primary epics" or "folk epics") were shaped by a literary
artist from historical and legendary materials which had developed in the oral traditions of his nation
during a period of expansion and warfare. To this group are ascribed the Iliad and Odyssey of the Greek
Homer, and the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf.
Elegy
The elegy, a type of lyric poem, is usually a formal lament for someone's death.
Epithet
An epithet is usually an adjective or a brief phrase used to characterize a person, place, or thing.
For example, in Beowulf God is variously described as “the Lord of all Life,” “the Ruler of glory,”
“the Lord of heaven and earth,” and “our eternal Lord.” As you read Beowulf, pay attention to the
epithets. Note how they provide a brief summary of major characters’ most essential qualities.
Allusion
Allusions are references in a work of literature to a well-known person, place, event, written
work, or work of art. Beowulf contains numerous biblical allusions.
Kenning
In literature, a kenning is a compound poetic phrase, a figure of speech, substituted for the usual name
of a person or thing. In its simplest form, it comprises two terms, one of which (the 'base word'), is
made to relate to the other to convey a meaning neither has alone. For example the sea in Old
English could be called seġl-rād 'sail-road', swan-rād 'swan-road', bæþ-weġ 'bath-way' or hwælweġ 'whale-way'. In line 10 of the epic Beowulf the sea is called the hronrāde or 'whale-road'.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a literary device in which an author drops subtle hints about plot developments to
come later in the story. Each of these hints widens the range of possible consequences and maintains
tension throughout the narrative as these possibilities narrow. An example of foreshadowing might be
when a character displays a gun or knife early in the story. Merely the appearance of a deadly weapon,
even though it is used for an innocuous purpose — such as being cleaned or whittling wood — suggests
terrible consequences later on.
Name: _______________________________
Period: _________________
Beowulf Activities
Directions: Read the story well. Using complete sentences respond to the following 15
questions. This portion of the assignment is worth 1 Daily Grade.
Due Date: _____________________________
In small groups, discuss the 2 activities below. Prepare a 3-5 minute presentation
with your findings. Make sure that your presentations are informative and
engaging. This is worth 2 Daily Grades.
Due Date: _____________________________
Select one of the essay topics below and write a fully developed essay in
response. Your final essay should be 500-750 words in length, typed—doublespaced, 12 point font, 1 inch margins. This is a major grade.
Due Date: _____________________________
Evaluate and Connect
1. The literary term deus ex machina refers to the improbable and unexpected introduction of a
person or device to make things turn out right. In your opinion, does the term apply to Beowulf’s
fight with Grendel’s mother? Explain.
2. In Beowulf what are the consequences of seeking revenge? What other ways might problems
be worked out?
3. In a paragraph or two, explain what the allusion of Grendel and Cain or any other allusion of your
choice adds to the poem.
4. Why does Hrothgar build Herot? Why doesn’t it collapse when Beowulf engages Grendel
in combat? What might its collapse have symbolized?
5. What is the mood at Herot at the beginning of Part 19? How does the mood change? Why?
6. What does Beowulf’s speech just before fighting Grendel’s mother suggest about his relationship
to his men? To Higlac?
7. Contrast Beowulf and Hrothgar. How does the contrast help define Beowulf’s character?
8. What sword does Beowulf take into battle? Who gave him the sword? What does the
sword’s failure in battle suggest about its owner?
9. What incident leads the dragon on the path to vengeance?
10. How does Beowulf become king of the Geats? Explain how his ascension to the throne
reinforces the character traits he displays earlier in the poem.
11. In what way does Wiglaf resemble the younger Beowulf? What makes him a worthy
successor to Beowulf?
12. Why is Beowulf’s death a turning point for the Geats?
13. What is usually done with treasures taken from a defeated enemy? Why is it significant
that the treasure from the dragon’s den is buried with Beowulf?
14. Locate cite and explain 5 examples of kennings in the text.
15. Discuss how the author uses foreshadowing in this story.
Literature Groups
1. With a small group of classmates, brainstorm a list of people who are admired as heroes. Next to the
name of each person on the list, jot down a few qualities that make this person a hero. What does
your list suggest about the qualities that people prize today?
2. With a small group of classmates, discuss Beowulf ’s portrayal of women (including Grendel’s
mother). Based on the portrayal of women in the poem, describe the “ideal” Anglo-Saxon
woman. How would she have behaved? What roles would she have played? Share your
description with the class.
3. The first century Roman historian Tacitus coined the term comitatus in his observations of Germanic
tribal culture in Germania. The comitatus was a gathering of warriors under one governing lord,
representing a strategic interweaving of family threads so as simultaneously to enlarge and
secure tribal identity and allegiance. The comitatus and intermarriages among tribes were
physical representations of intertribal treaties -- or rather the pre-literate versions of treaties,
called friths, in which physical objects of value that represented the tribe were exchanged.
In much the same way, blood-money (wergild, or literally man-money) is offered by one tribe as
payment for those of another tribe whom they kill. And tributes of swords and rings, necklaces
and battle gear are offered as seals of good faith -- physical objects in place of (non-existant)
written contracts. They are markers of agreements which, without writing, have no other physical
representation.
In small groups discuss the concept of comitatus as it relates to Beowulf. Do you find evidence of
Tacitus’ observations in this epic? How about wergild? Share your observations with the class.
ESSAY TOPICS
1. Are the heroic qualities possessed by Beowulf the same or different from the qualities we find in
our heroes today?
2. Have the characteristics of good leadership changed since the days of Beowulf?
Developed from The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
And An Idiot’s Guide to Beowulf. Andy Moore