Beowulf Study Questions for Chapters 1-6
1. What happened to Scyld Scefing? He asked his warriors to build him a great ship to carry him to his death
2. What did Hrothgar’s men believe caused his nightmare? They believed eating cheese caused his
nightmare.
3. What does legend say about Grendel? Legend says that Grendel is the offspring of Cain and a loathly
snake.
4. Who saved Hrothgar’s life and how? Queen Wealhtheow saved his life by flinging herself on him.
5. What caused Beowulf’s poor eyesight? He was stung by bees when he was a child.
6. Where did Beowulf’s real strength come from? His real strength came from his goodness within.
7. What did Hrothgar’s coast guard think of Beowulf? Did he believe Beowulf would kill Grendel? He thought
he was a pirate and he didn’t believe he could kill Grendel.
8. What did Beowulf leave on the mound of dirt? Beowulf left his sword on the mound of dirt.
9. What did Beowulf eat as an example of not being afraid of something that is supposed to be bad?
Beowulf ate an apple.
10. What does Beowulf put more trust in? He puts more trust in his 10 fingers.
Beowulf Study Questions for Chapters 6-16
1. What was Beowulf’s favorite story told by the poets? Beowulf’s favorite story was the story of “Sigmund
and Fitela.”
2. Who stole Grendel’s arm and took it to the fen? She stole Grendel’s arm.
3. What did Beowulf do before jumping in the bloody pool? Beowulf laughed before jumping in the bloody
pool.
4. How did Beowulf survive the grip of She? Beowulf survived the grip of She by screaming.
5. How did Beowulf kill She? Beowulf strangled Her.
6. What took Beowulf’s toothache away? He believed the raven took his toothache away.
7. What did Beowulf give the coast guard as a gift? Beowulf gave the coast guard his sword.
8. Who did Beowulf give Hrothgar’s gifts to when he arrived back home? He gave the gifts to King Hygelac.
9. How did Beowulf live when he returned home? Did he become a king? He lived a peaceful life tending his
bees. He eventually became king of the Geats.
10. How did Beowulf kill the Firedrake? Beowulf used the bees to kill the Firedrake.