1. [Compare/contrast] Contrast the hall with the dwelling of Grendel. (1-4) Hall Grendel’s Lair 2. What bias is immediately established with these descriptions? 3. [Inference] How does the description of the harp (line 4) help to create a clearer vision of the celebration?
4. [Literary Genre]What details of the epic can be found in lines 7-20?
5. [Detail] Focusing on lines 15-40, describe Grendel. Cite specific details/lines that create horror.
6. [Inference]What does Grendel resent about Hrothgar and his men?
7. [Inference] What is Grendel’s motive for attacking Hrothgar’s kingdom?
8. [Paraphrasing] What are the main ideas in the sentences in lines 34-40?
Targets 3.3.2. Understand the values of Anglo-Saxon culture shown in literature. 3.1.4 Recognize the characteristics of the epic hero in Beowulf. 2.2.1 Identify elements of Anglo-Saxon literature, such as kenning, caesura, and alliteration.
9. The Danes flee the hall at night. According to Anglo-Saxon values, what does this say about the Danes? 10. [Literary Analysis] How does the length of Hrothgar’s suffering increase the epic feeling of this tale? (60-65)
11. According to Burton Raffel, literary lore suggests monsters are interested in fights they know they can win. What does this say about Grendel’s character?
12. What details of the coming battle between the hero and Grendel are used to show this as a fight between GOOD and EVIL? lines 80-84
THE COMING OF BEOWULF 13. Based on the description of Beowulf in lines 109-122, what qualities do you think the Anglo Saxons valued in a warrior?
14. How might you paraphrase lines 125-131?
15. Focus on lines 151-171. How do the word choice (diction) and style of the watchman’s speech add an epic tone to his question?
16. Focus on lines 173-179. What does Beowulf’s way of identifying himself suggest about the values of the warrior culture?
17. [Literal] Why does Beowulf sail to Denmark? What are his motives for helping Hrothgar? 18. Paraphrase Beowulf’s plans in lines 264-279.
19. How do Beowulf’s boasts of past deeds and his plan to help Hrothgar establish him as a hero? (p.47).
20. Beowulf calls Hrothgar a “shelterer of warriors.” What does this kenning tell the reader of a king’s role in Anglo-Saxon society?
21. [Literal] What does Beowulf ask of Hrothgar? (260-261)
22. What are Beowulf’s reasons for fighting Grendel unarmed? How does this add to his hero status?
23. What values and beliefs of warrior culture does Beowulf’s attitude toward death express? (265-284)
24. What is the effect of alliteration in lines 285-302? 25. Identify the kennings used to describe Grendel in line 325. What do these kennings tell us about Grendel? Kenning #1: ______________________ What it says about Grendel: _____________________________________ Kenning #2: ______________________ What it says about Grendel: ___________________________________
26. What does the description of Herot in lines 347-357 tell the reader about Anglo-Saxon values? 27. What advantage does Beowulf have in his fight with Grendel?
28. Which details from the description of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel add realism? Which details add epic grandness? (360-392)
29. How do Beowulf’s men behave during the battle? What does this tell the reader how a warrior should behave?
THE MONSTERS’ LAIR 30. How does Beowulf’s battle with Grendel end? 31. What would be Beowulf’s motive, as a warrior, for going after Grendel’s mom? THE BATTLE WITH GRENDEL’S MOTHER 32. How does the setting of this battle make it seem larger than life? (466-491)
33. Read Burton Raffel’s comment on page 53. How does the motivation for honor (fame) alone add to the character of Beowulf?
34. “So fame/ Comes to the men who mean to win it/ And care about nothing else!” (507-509) What does this quote tell us about Anglo-Saxon beliefs? 35. Why does Beowulf toss aside his sword in the fight?
36. How is a blend between Paganism and Christianity shown in lines 525-534? 37. Paraphrase lines 543-562. How is Beowulf evolving as a hero?
38. [Connection] Besides its ornate hilt, what else makes Hrunting valuable?
39. How do the other warriors behave while waiting for Beowulf? (pg. 54) Geats (Beowulf’s men) Danes
40. What does Beowulf do after slaying Grendel’s mother? 41. How does Nature (the lake) react to our hero’s victory? What does this imply about our hero? THE LAST BATTLE 42. Why does the dragon attack Beowulf’s kingdom?
43. What does Beowulf’s speech in lines 630-649 suggest about Anglo-Saxon values?
44. How does Beowulf plan to fight the dragon?
45. Look at lines 716-742. What do these lines reveal about the values of warrior culture?
46. Look at lines 745-760. According to Wiglaf, what is Beowulf’s relationship with his followers like?
47. How do Beowulf’s warriors behave in the battle with the dragon? (pg.58) 48. Looking at Beowulf’s three major battles, what pattern seems to emerge in his warriors?
49. Why is this speech what these men deserve? (744-772)
50. Look at lines 762-772. What does Wiglaf’s decision suggest about the way in which a legendary hero can inspire heroism in others?
THE SPOILS 51. Frequently, characters are referred to as the “son of” somebody. What do you think this tradition says about the warrior culture?
52. In Beowulf’s death scene, what is shown about the importance of the commemoration of individuals after death? (816-830)
53. In class, we read an excerpt showing the punishment of Beowulf’s warriors for their actions. What was their punishment and why is it so bad?
THE FAREWELL 54. What is Beowulf’s last request (page 61)?
55. Read Burton Raffel’s comment on page 62. What Christian figure would be described as Beowulf is in lines 867-869?
56. Beowulf was a man who wanted fame. In the context of the poem, why is this a trait to be admired?
57. In our modern world, explain whether this is a trait to be admired or not?
58. One of the premises of this poem is that humans have some element of control over their own fate. In our modern world, do you agree or disagree with this? Defend your answer with details/examples.
