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Beowulf Reading Comprehension & Analysis Guide
The Wrath of Grendel
1. Analyze: How does the description of
The demon (pagan element) was cast out by “the
Grendel’s origins convey the Christian and Almighty”, which shows a Christian influence.
pagan influences in the Anglo-Saxon
culture?
2. Recall: Why does Grendel “growl in pain”? Grendel cannot take the happiness of Hall Herot
and the happiness Hrothgar’s people are feeling.
3. Connect: What does this tell us about
Grendel resents the ease and pleasure that Hrothgar
Grendel?
and his men experience in their hall compared with
his own dark, painful existence.
4. Analyze: Identify the main ideas of lines
Grendel enjoys killing; he thinks, moves, and kills
34-40.
quickly while his victims are peacefully sleeping and
unaware of danger.
5. Recall: For how long did “hate triumph” for For twelve winters
King Hrothgar?
6. Epic: How does the length of the suffering It gives the tale a feeling of epic proportions with
of the Geats increase the epic feeling of this the exaggerated, extended length of Grendel’s
tale?
terror.
Shadow of death
7. In lines 70-81, find two kennings
Mankind’s enemy
describing the monster Grendel.
8. Theme: Focus on line’s 82-85. What does
this imply about the throne of King
Hrothgar?
9. What universal conflict lies behind Grendel’s
war with Hrothgar?
10. Vocabulary: Identify the definition for the
word solace. According to lines 100-103,
when are they able t find solace?
11. Recall: Why do the Danes flee Herot at
night?
The King is protected by God.
The battle between good vs. evil or God Vs. Satan
To comfort or soothe.
They are able to find solace when they die “seek
our Father’s peace” in heaven.
The Coming of Beowulf
1. Grammar & Style: In line 104, identify the “Healfdane’s son”
appositive phrase.
2. Analyze: Review your notes on the epic
poem and identify the elements of an epic
demonstrated in lines 109-114.
3. Recall: Why does Beowulf travel to Herot?
Depicts Beowulf as “the strongest of the Geats”;
shows that Beowulf is honorable and willing to rid
Herot of the monster and defeat evil; elevated
language when they describe that he comes from a
“far-off home”.
He travels to Herot to rid the Danes of Grendel.
4. Infer: What do his motives tell you about
his character?
It shows he is brave, cares about others, and hates
evil and suffering.
5. Identify: In lines 152-171, identify the
kenning. What noun does it represent?
“sea-road” is a kenning meaning the ocean.
6. Epic and Legendary Hero: What does
They value military strength, leadership, having a
Beowulf’s way of identifying himself suggest respected father, and wisdom.
about the values of a warrior culture?
7. Recall: Describe the Hall Herot.
8. Paraphrase: In lines 260-279, what are
Beowulf plans for Grendel?
9. Epic and Legendary Hero: What does
Beowulf’s way of explaining his plan
identify him as a legendary hero?
It is very ornate, decorated with helmets and shields;
it is covered with hammered gold and extremely
noticeable.
He plans to wait for Grendel in the hall, where he
will fight the monster without his sword. He
understands he may be eaten like the others.
He is ready to die to rid the world of evil. He is
strong and brave enough to fight the monster with
his bare hands.
10. Epic: What values and beliefs of warrior
He understands the fate of being a warrior and that
culture does Beowulf’s attitude toward death it may always lead to death.
express?