Beowulf Chapter Questions
Answer these questions with direct quotes whenever possible. Provide an appropriate MLA
in-text citation that tells the chapter title and exact line numbers after the quote.
Prologue:
1. Trace Hrothar’s ancestry back to Shild. (It may be easier to start with Shild and work your
way to Hrothgar.)
2.
a. Is Hrothgar good or evil? How do you know?
b. Is Hrothgar powerful? Does he have status? How do you know?
c. Is Hrothgar heroic? How do you know?
Give specific words from the text to support your answer. Include a citation with line numbers.
Grendel
Answer each question with a direct quote from the text and a correct citation.
1. Where did Grendel come from?
2. What does Grendel look like?
3. Is Grendel good or evil? Prove it!
4. How long did Grendel terrorize Herot?
5. Why does Grendel never attack Hrothgar’s throne?
6. What do you think is the point of lines 90-103?
Beowulf
Answer each question in your own words, but still provide a citation that tells me where exactly
in the text you found the answer.
1. Who is Higlac?
2. What feats has Beowulf already accomplished? What does Beowulf’s boasting establish
about him?
3. What is Beowulf’s one request of Hrothgar? Why do you think he makes it?
4. What is Beowulf’s plan for attacking Grendel? Why does he make this choice?
5. Where is Hrothgar on the evening of the first attack?
6. What is your personal opinion of Beowulf so far?
The Battle with Grendel
Answer each question either in your own words or with a quote, but always have that in-text
citation!
1. How many men does Grendel kill?
2. What is Grendel’s first thought when Beowulf grabs him? What does Grendel want to
do?
3. Why are Beowulf’s men of no help in this battle? (Give the reason from the story, and
the “plot line” reason, too!)
4. What proof did the Danes have that Beowulf had defeated Grendel? (two answers)
5. Beowulf is a great boaster, but is there any evidence of humility in Beowulf at all?
Beowulf Chapter Questions
Grendel’s Mother
Answer using a combination of quotes, your own words and sentences of explanation. Include
citations, of course.
1. What does Grendel’s mother take from Herot on her first visit? Why didn’t Beowulf stop
her?
2. What is Beowulf’s response to Hrothgar when he is mourning for his lost soldier? What
does this say about Beowulf’s character?
3. Where does Grendel’s mother live? Why is this location note-worthy?
4. Why does Beowulf wear armor and take a sword this time?
5. Who is Unferth and what does he do for Beowulf? Why?
6. Who is Hrunting? What happens to “him”?
7. How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? What does he use?
8. What does Beowulf take from Grendel’s mother’s home?
9. What is one possible theme of Beowulf? What does the text teach us about status and
power, good and evil or heroism? (This should be an extended answer)
The Fire Dragon
Answer using a combination of quotes, your own words and sentences of explanation. Include
citations, of course.
1. Why does Beowulf feel that the dragon burned down his “hall, his thrown, the best of
buildings” (“Fire Dragon” 24)? What does this say about his personality?
2. What weapon does he take to this battle?
3. How does Wiglaf help in the battle? (two answers)
4. Why do you think Beowulf gets to have help now? Does this diminish his status and
power? Why or why not?
5. What wounds does everyone (including the dragon) have at the end of this battle?
6. What are some Anglo-Saxon values that you’ve seen so far (consider the entire text).
What is important to these people. Focus on those topics of status and power, good
and evil, and heroism. Support your answer with evidence from the text.
The Death of Beowulf
Answer using a combination of quotes, your own words and sentences of explanation. Include
citations, of course.
1. As he lays dying, what is Beowulf’s request of Wiglaf?
2. Who does Beowulf thank with his dying words? What does this say about his character?
How does it enforce the theme of the story?
3. What type of funeral does Beowulf request?
4. What does he give to Wiglaf and why?
5. Why is it important that Beowulf’s tower was tall? (2 reasons)
6. According to the Anglo-Saxons, how should all men behave when their leaders and
protectors die?