Beowulf Activities
Reading Questions:
As we read each section of Beowulf, you should answer the questions on another sheer of
paper. This can be informal language, (incomplete sentences, slang, etc).
Quizzes:
You will have three quizzes over the reading questions and one over the lit terms.
Your Creative Project:
As we read, you will be retelling the story of Beowulf in your own creative way. You can do this
in the form of a graphic novel (comic book), fake Facebook or Twitter updates, a modernized short story
or any other creative, original idea you run by Ms. Seaton. Your retelling must show understanding of
the plot as well as characters. You must use good writing and communication skills throughout. Paper
and colored pencils are available in my room. For a comic book, you should have at least 6 pages with a
description of each section. For Facebook or Twitter, you should have 10 to 15 statuses/tweets.
Paragraphs:
I will be assigning a couple of paragraph responses as we read.
Practice Persuasive Essay:
We will be doing an in-class practice for the persuasive essay part of the ACT.
Beowulf Reading Questions:
The Wrath of Grendel: 105 (number of lines in the section)
Hrothgar- Lord of the Danes, Herot- Meadhall/ hangout place
Who is Grendel?
Why is Grendel so angry? What are the people doing that annoys him?
What is Grendel? Where does he come from?
What exactly does Grendel do?
What do the people of Herot do?
What does this mean for Grendel?
What things do the people try to do to get rid of Grendel?
The Coming of Beowulf: 180
Healfdane’s Son- Hrothgar, Beowulf- Higlac’s follower/ a Geat/ Edgetho’s son
What does Beowulf do when he finds out about the trouble in Herot?
Who accompanies him?
What is Beowulf’s religion?
Who greets them?
Why does Beowulf say he has come?
What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar during their conversation?
What is Beowulf’s plan for killing Grendel?
The Battle with Grendel: 115
What does Grendel find at Herot?
What does Grendel do?
What happens when Grendel attacks Beowulf?
How does the battle go down?
What is the result of the battle?
The Monster’s Lair: 35
What does Hrothgar tell Beowulf the next day?
Details!
What does Hrothgar ask of Beowulf?
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother: 170
What is Beowulf going to do about Hrothgar’s problem?
How long does Beowulf swim to get to Grendel’s Mother’s lair?
Describe in detail the events of the battle.
Who gets some of the credit for Beowulf’s victory?
How is Grendel’s Mother killed?
What happens up top while Beowulf is being heroic?
How has the environment changed ?
The Last Battle: 150
How does Beowulf feel about fighting the dragon?
Why is he fighting the dragon?
Describe the battle in detail.
What does Wiglaf do?
How does the battle end? (Read the very end of the section)
The Spoils: 65
What does Wiglaf do?
What does Beowulf do when he sees the treasure?
What are Beowulf’s last wishes?
The Farewell: 20
What things do the Geats do to memorialize Beowulf?
What are the people’s last thoughts about Beowulf?