Name: __________________________________________
Class: _____________
Beowulf
“Grendel” and “Beowulf”
1. What words and phrases does the poet use to establish Grendel as a fearsome
creature?
2. How effective is the poet in conveying Grendel’s assault on the Danes? Support
your answer with examples from the text.
3. What impression of Beowulf does the poet convey through Beowulf’s opening
remarks to Hrothgar?
4. Why does Beowulf insist that “my hands alone shall fight for me”?
5. What is the significance of Beowulf’s statement, “Fate will unwind as it must”?
Name: __________________________________________
Beowulf
“The Battle with Grendel”
Class: _____________
You MUST ANSWER #1!
**1. What character traits of the epic hero does Beowulf display in this section?
2. In what ways is Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel similar to other
man/monster clashes you’ve read about or seen on television or in the movies?
How is it different?
3. How does Beowulf trap and kill Grendel?
4. Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot?
Name: __________________________________________
Beowulf
“Grendel’s Mother” and “The Battle with Grendel’s Mother”
Class: _____________
You MUST ANSWER #5!
1. Why does Grendel’s mother take and kill one of the Danes? Explain the
significance of the “single victim” that she chooses (line 411).
2. What are the Danes and the Geats doing while Beowulf is battling Grendel’s
mother?
3. Why does Hrothgar ask Beowulf to battle Grendel’s mother?
4. What does Beowulf do after he kills Grendel’s mother?
**5. Compare the two monsters. Does the behavior of Grendel’s mother seem as
wicked or unreasonable as Grendel’s behavior? Support your opinion with
evidence from the text.
Name: __________________________________________
Beowulf
Class: _____________
“Beowulf’s Last Battle”
1. Why might the poet want to foreshadow the battle’s outcome in lines 606-612?
2. What imagery does the poet use to set the stage for Beowulf’s climactic battle
with the dragon?
3. Do you think the poet wants to depict the battle as a contest of equals, or does
he view Beowulf as the underdog? Explain your answer.
4. How does Wiglaf’s speech show that he is different from his comrades?
5. Does Wiglaf qualify as an epic hero? Why or why not?
Name: __________________________________________
Beowulf
“The Death of Beowulf” and “Mourning Beowulf”
Class: _____________
You MUST ANSWER #1 and #5!
**1. Write down three examples from kennings from the poem (any section) and
name the person they are describing.
2. Why are Beowulf’s followers referred to as “cowards and jackals” (line 833) and
“shamefaced jackals” (line 837)?
3. Would the actions of Beowulf’s followers have been interpreted the same way
by modern-day standards? Why or why not?
4. Compare and contrast the portrayals of Beowulf as a young and old man. What
view of youth and age do these comparisons convey?
**5. Describe Beowulf’s attitude toward death or mortality in each of the
following passages:
 Lines 179-189
 Lines 481-492
 Lines 665-691
How does his attitude change over time?