Beowulf
Study Guide
The Monster Grendel
Book 1
Find the phrase that points
to Grendel’s evil nature
and write it down.
Lines 19 – 23 FYI – Cain
is one of the Biblical son’s
of Adam and Eve. He
murdered his brother,
Abel, and was cursed by
God. Legend states Cain
fathered a brood of
monsters.
Summary
Introduction to a
terrible monster, born
of Cain, that terrorizes
Hrothgar’s men.
Sets the setting as a
once beautiful and
serene place that has
been turned into a
“hell”.
Book 2 –
Herot – means hart. The
hart was an Anglo-Saxon
symbol of kingship.
Lines 37-53
What does Grendel do at
night?
Why don’t any of
Hrothgar’s men challenge
Grendel?
Lines 85-89
Why is this background
information about Grendel
and Hrothgar in the poem?
Find examples that show
that this poem was
originally composed by a
pagan author and
transcribed by a Christian
monk.
Summary
Grendel has taken over
Herot and is eating the
men as often as he can.
Hrothgar and his council
debate the best ways to be
rid of Grendel.
Book 3 –
The Geats –
Lived in what today is
western Sweden.
Higlac, king of the
Geats and Beowulf’s
kinsman, was killed in
a raid on the Franks in
A.D. 521. The
complete epic forecasts
the Geats’ defeat by
another tribe, the
Swedes.
Lines 110 – 116
What qualities of an
epic hero are conveyed
in these lines?
Summary
Beowulf hears of
Hrothgar’s troubles
and gathers thirteen of
his best men and heads
off to help Hrothgar.
The
Arrival
of
the
Hero
Book 4 –
How has Beowulf begun
to be glorified in the first
five lines?
Lines 150-162
What proof does Beowulf
offer that he is up to the
task of killing Grendel?
Why do you think
Beowulf intends to fight
Grendel without a sword?
What do you think is the
purpose of book four?
Summary
Hrothgar greets
Beowulf and his men.
Beowulf tells of his
plan to kill Grendel.
Book 5 –
Lines 190 – 210
What causes Hrothgar
to make this speech,
reminding Beowulf of
the time he helped his
father?
What is the probably
effect of his words?
Identify the following
in lines 210-220:
Alliteration
Kenning
Caesura
Summary
Hrothgar tells Beowulf
of a time when he
helped his father.
All the men rejoice
and celebrate Beowulf
and his men coming to
the rescue.
Unferth’s Challenge
Book 6 –
What is Unferth’s motive
for challenging Beowulf?
Beowulf meets Unferth’s
challenge with
assertiveness and restraint.
What are some of the
things he might say if his
goal were to be impolite
or vengeful?
How does Unferth’s
challenge build suspense?
Summary
Unferth challenges
Beowulf by saying he
isn’t as capable as he
claims to be.
Book 7 –
Lines 293-297
In what ways does
Beowulf compare his
defeat of the sea
monsters to a feast?
Line 305-306
Do you agree or disagree
with Beowulf?
Explain.
How does Unferth serve
as a foil to Beowulf?
Find the kenning in lines
340-343. What does it
mean?
Lines 378-379
How is the coming of night
personified?
Lines 388-391
What does Hrothgar promise
Beowulf? Why?
Summary
Beowulf retells his bravery
with a recollection of how
he slew nine sea monsters
and swam to safety.
The Battle with Grendel
Book 8Why do you think
Beowulf allows Grendel
to slaughter one of the
Geats before taking action
himself?
What kennings associate
Grendel with evil? (430435) What form do the
kennings take?
Lines 440-445What verbs are used to
emphasize the fierce
grappling of Beowulf
and Grendel?
Summary
Summarize book 8 in
no more than 2
sentences.
Book 9 –
How do the actions of
Beowulf’s men uphold
the Anglo-Saxon code
of honor?
What evidence of
Christian/pagan
tension do you see in
lines 479-491?
Why does Beowulf
hang Grendel’s arm
from the rafters of
Herot?
Summary
Summarize book 9 in
one sentence.
Book 10 –
Reread line 528-533.
How is the description of the
lake Beowulf lies in
suggestive of hell?
Lines 535 – 544
List all the examples of
alliteration.
What is the purpose of the
use of alliteration here?
Summary
Write a one sentence
summary of book 10.
Book 11 –
What imagery in the
description of
Grendel’s lair
associates Grendel
with death and
darkness?
Summary
Summarize books 111 in exactly six
sentences.
The Monster’s Mother
Book 12 –
What setting details do
you get in lines 590594?
What characteristics of
an epic hero does
Beowulf display
during his fight with
Grendel’s mother?
How do you think the
battle between
Grendel’s mother and
Beowulf will end?
Summary
Beowulf goes after
Grendel’s mother.
They fight and
Beowulf almost dies.
Book 13 –
Do you think that lines
646-665 are an
example of overkill?
Summary
Explain.
Why does Beowulf keep Write a summary of
book twelve in two
fighting when the odds
sentences or less.
are against him?
The Final Battle
Book 14 –
To what extent has
Beowulf remained an
epic hero?
Finish the sequence of
events:
1.Beowulf says goodbye
to his followers.
2.Beowulf heads toward
the dragon’s cave.
3. ?
4. ?
Line 750 –
Why do you think
Beowulf’s men desert
him at this point?
Summary
How far has Beowulf
come in the hero’s
journey? (Refer to
your notes if needed.)
Book 15 –
Why does Wiglaf
decide to fight side by
side with Beowulf?
Lines 789-790 –
Find the examples of
alliteration in these
lines.
Summary
Summarize book 15 in
one sentence.
Book 16 –
How do Beowulf’s
dying words fit
comitatus (the
warrior’s code)?
Is Beowulf and epic
hero to the end?
Explain.
Book 17 –
How do the Geats
regard their king?
Quiz
Directions: Number your paper 1-9. Read each statement. If
the statement is true write T if it is false write F.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Grendel has been attacking Herot Hall for six
months.
Beowulf requests that Hrothgar allow him to
fight Grendel without his weapons.
Grendel cannot be harmed because he is
protected by God.
Hrothgar gives Beowulf command of Herot,
promising him treasures if he kills Grendel.
5. Using his ancestral sword, Beowulf kills
Grendel’s mother.
6. Beowulf carries Grendel’s head to King
Hrothgar and returns home with many fine
gifts.
7. Beowulf becomes king of the Geats.
8. After Beowulf’s weapons fail him against
the dragon, his men rush to help him.
9. Beowulf names Wiglaf as his successor to
the throne.
Answers
Switch papers with a partner and check their answers.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
F
T
F
T
F
T
T
F
T