Beowulf Study Guide

Grendel: What is the setting of the first part of the epic?

Herot (Hrothgar's mead hall)

Grendel: What familiar story is told by the speaker in the first 12 lines of the poem?

Creation myth (Genesis)

Grendel: How was Grendel conceived (created), and where is he required to live?

Created by monsters descended from Cain. In a hell on earth; swamp; lair

Grendel: In lines 23-29 what universal theme in literature is introduced for this poem?

Good vs. Evil

Grendel: Describe Grendel's attack on Herot Hall. How long have the attacks gone on as the story opens? What time of day does Grendel appear? What does he symbolize?

Grendel attacks at night. He snatches up thirty men, bashes them and takes their bodies to his lair. Grendel symbolizes evil.

Grendel: What is the tone in lines 44-49 and what words help to convey (express) that tone?

Tone is sorrowful, sad; "wept," "fearing," "joyless," "mourning"

What measures did Hrothgar and his men use in their attempt to stop Grendel?

He tried to pay Grendel to stay away; secret meetings; made sacrifices to the old gods

What part of Herot does Grendel avoid and why?

Hrothgar's throne; He can't touch it because it is protected by God

What element of paganism is seen in Hrothgar's people?

Made sacrifices to the old gods

What religion is the scop who tells this story? Find evidence in lines 90-100. What religious advice does he offer?

Christian; says need to pray for forgiveness, turn to God

How does Beowulf learn of the Danes' plight (huge problem)?

Word spread from warriors who escaped

How many thanes does Beowulf take with him?

14

Read lines 109-110. What heroic traits does Beowulf possess based on these lines?

Greater and stronger than any other warrior in the world

Who is Wulfgar?

One of Hrothgar's soldiers

What credentials (personal qualifications) does Beowulf present to Hrothgar?

He is cousin to the king, he has killed 5 giants, hunted and killed monsters, gone to war and fought and returned,

What is Beowulf's battle plan for Grendel? What is his weapon? Give details.

He will lay in wait for Grendel and kill him with his bare hands

In the event Beowulf should die in battle

what request does he make of Hrothgar? , To send the mail of his armor back to Higlac

How does Hrothgar know Beowulf's father? Explain.

They were friends because Beowulf's father had sworn to keep the peace with Hrothgar

In lines 190-224 Hrothgar delivers a long speech to Beowulf. What values are reflected in his speech?

He values friendship, peace, loyalty and courage

The Battle with Grendel

1. Why does Beowulf allow Grendel to devour one of his best men in the night's attack.

To see how Grendel fights

2. Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. Be specific and explain the sequence of the action.

Beowulf grabbed him by the claws and ripped one of his arms out

3. Why can't the swords of Beowulf's thanes wound Grendel?

Grendel bewitched them

4. How does Herot Hall hold up under the battle? What could destroy it?

Nothing can destroy it

5. What souvenir of the battle does Beowulf keep for the Danes?

They hung Grendels' arm from the rafters.

6. Describe the home of Grendel as seen by the warriors the day after the battle.

A cave under bloody, steaming water, as murky as hell

7. In lines 386-96 what type of person is being described? What is his Anglo-Saxon title and role - check your background notes.

It is talking about the scops retelling the story of Beowulf's heroism

8. Which of the Anglo-Saxon virtues does Beowulf display in this battle? How?

He showed courage in battle and loyalty to a family friend

9. The main ones are courage and loyalty but also honor

what aspects of Anglo-Saxon life are displayed in the epic poem so far?

Grendel's Mother:

1. Why does Grendel's mother appear?

Get revenge for the death of her son

2. Describe the mother's attack on Herot Hall. What does she take with her?

She also came while they were sleeping but she was loud and started slashing and stabbing at the soldiers. She only took one man.

3. Where is Beowulf during the attack?

He was in a different hall

4. Describe the sight of the lake. Use details.

It was murky and covered in fire and high waves.

5. *What preparations does Beowulf make for the battle? Why are these unusual?

He dives down into the lake alone

6. What is Hrunting? Where did Beowulf get it? (answer in your notes on characters in Beowulf)

It is a sword and he received it from Hrothgar's best friend

7. How long does it take Beowulf to reach the bottom of the lake?

Several hours

8. Where are Grendel and his mother found?

In a cave at the bottom of the lake

9. Describe the fight and the use of weapons between Beowulf and Grendel's mother.

Beowulf''s own sword was of no use, he ended up using the sword of giant which had magical pwers in order to be able to cut her head off.

10. Who saves Beowulf? How is Grendel's mother killed? What happens to Grendel?

Beowulf cuts her head off. Finds Grendel's body in a corner and cuts his head off too and takes it with him.

11. What does the light described in lines 526-28 suggest about Beowulf's victory?

Heaven's light shining down, good triumphing over evil.

12. In Beowulf's absence

what attitude has come over the Danes and the Geats? ,They believe he has been defeated and morn him.

13. What is brought back to Herot?

Grendel's head

14. Why do you think the Geats want the Danes to see Grendel's skull?

As proof that he is actually dead and that he will not terrorize them again.

15. Compare and contrast the behavior and actions of the two monsters

Grendel and his mother. ,The behavior of the mother is more understandable because she is motivated by a desire for revenge for her son's death, not just a lust for killing.

Beowulf's Last Battle

1. What events have angered the dragon and what are his actions against Beowulf's people?

A thief messed with his treasure and so he starts to terrorize the Geats

2. What weapons does Beowulf plan to use against the dragon? Why? How is this different from previous battles?

He plans to use his sword where in the past he simply used his bare hands

3. Describe the dragon's reaction to Beowulf's approach. How does he behave?

It is angry and breathes fire at him

4. Describe the actual battle? How successful is Beowulf in the battle?

Beowulf's sword is useless and shatters against the scales of the dragon.

5. Why do Beowulf's warriors desert him now?

They are afraid that Beowulf will lose and that they will die

6. In Wiglaf's angry speech to the Geat warriors at the end of the section

what are the main points of his argument?,He denounces them for abandoning Beowulf when he needed their help

Beowulf's Death

1. Who kills the dragon?

Beowulf

2. In Beowulf's closing speech

lines 742-760, what ideals does he reflect on? , He wants the people to remember his leadership and love of peace

3. What does Wiglaf find when he enters the dragon's cave?- describe fully.

Gold and jewels

4. How does Wiglaf tend to Beowulf as he dies? How does Beowulf reward Wiglaf?

Holds him and sprinkles water on his wounds

5. What does Wiglaf's speech in lines 851-62 tell us about the importance of honor and the consequences of dishonorable behavior in Beowulf's time?

He tells the warriors that their cowardice has brought dishonor to their families for generations to come and that they would be better off dead than living with dishonor

6. What kind of memorial does Beowulf request as he dies? Why is it important that he leave a legacy behind?

He wants a tall tower to be built in his memory so that people will see it and remember him

7. How do the Geats characterize Beowulf as the poem closes?

There has no better king more worthy of praise and reverence