Beowulf Study Guide Questions Chapters 19-33 Chapter 19 Vocabulary: barter – to exchange dauntless – fearless, brave dolorous – sorrowful, grievous vassal – a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he has pledged allegiance 1. Why does Grendel’s mother go to Herot? She is seeking revenge for her son’s death. 2. Why does the narrator express no sympathy for Grendel’s mother, who has lost her only son? Grendel and his mother are monsters, and, therefore, represent evil, for which no sympathy is given. Grendel is an unsympathetic character because he has killed many men over the years. Also, he and his mother are members of a clan cursed by God, and to sympathize with them would be similar to rebuking God. 3. What does Grendel’s mother take from Herot? Grendel’s mother takes Hrothgar’s most treasured warrior and her son’s arm. Chapter 20 Vocabulary: hart – a deer heaths – largely desolate areas with scraggly brush for vegetation; vegetation that fills such an area 4. How is the conflict between the monsters and Hrothgar’s clan similar to a bloodfeud? How does the conflict differ from a blood-fued? The murdered men are kinsmen, and the monsters are related. Grendel’s life is the price for years of killing, but his mother seeks a blood-price for her son by killing someone special to the king. The conflict is not like a blood-feud because money is not exchanged to cease fighting. If Grendel and his mother are not destroyed, they will likely continue to kill for years. Also, Beowulf is a member of another clan, and would not normally be involved in the feud. 5. According to Hrothgar, what strange sight can be seen at night on the mere? At night, there is fire on the water. 6. How do deer react when chased by hunters to the perimeter of the mere? The deer stop running and turn to face the hunters instead of going into the water; the animals would rather die.

Chapter 21 Vocabulary: drakes – dragons lament – to mourn; to strongly regret serpentine – like a snake; twisted tumult – a turbulent uprising of a crowd; riot 7. Beowulf tells Hrothgar, “Do not lament, wise sire! It seems better that each man avenge his friends than to mourn them to no end.” (p. 53) How does this comment portray character differences between Beowulf and Hrothgar? Hrothgar is described as a warrior, but he is old, tired, and needs help defending his kingdom. Beowulf is young and strong, and he exhibits more courage than Hrothgar. 8. How do Hrothgar and Beowulf respond to Grendel’s mother’s attack? The men track her down to kill her. 9. The men track Grendel’s mother to a place where the water is bloody. What do they find near the lake-cliff? They find Aeschere’s head 10. What creatures are swimming in the lake, and how do they react when the warriors arrive? The lake is filled with serpentine monsters and sea-drakes, or dragons. The creatures become angry at the men’s presence and swim away. 11. Describe Beowulf’s state of mind as he prepares to battle Grendel’s mother? Beowulf is calm and unafraid. 12. What does Ecglaf’s son, Unferth, do that causes him to fall “short of glory and the honor of court?” Unferth loans the famous battle-sword, Hrunting, to Beowulf because he is afraid to fight. Chapter 22 talons – the claws of an animal, especially a bird of prey 13. Where does Grendel’s mother live? Grendel’s mother lives at the bottom of the lake. 14. Why does Beowulf not kill Grendel’s mother with Hrunting, the sword? The sword does not work against the monster; the blade will not penetrate her body.

15. Described the struggle between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf. Grendel’s mother is thrown, but she quickly recovers and struggles with Beowulf, who stumbles under the burden. The monsters has an opportunity to stab Beowulf, but he is protected by his mail. 16. . According to the narrator, what is the ultimate reason that the knife does not kill Beowulf? What literary element dose this situation portray? Beowulf is saved because of God’s will and intervention. The diving intervention is an example of Deus ex Machina ([dey-uh s eks mah-kuh-nuh, dee-uh s eks mak-uh-nuh] a god introduced into a play to resolve the entanglements of the plot or any artificial or improbable device resolving the difficulties of a plot). . Chapter 23 Vocabulary: ardent – passionate, shining, fiery bandying – exchanging back and forth, as in a game ephemeral – temporary, passing, transitory fetters – shackles visage – the face 17. What does Beowulf use to defeat Grendel’s mother? Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother with a sword that he finds in the cavern; the blade is extremely long and old because it had been fashioned by giants. 18. How does Beowulf make a final act of retribution on Grendel? Beowulf finds Grendel’s body in the cavern and cuts off his head. 19. What happens to Beowulf’s newly acquired sword, and why? The sword blade melts from the monster’s poisonous blood. 20. What does Beowulf take from the cave? Beowulf takes Grendel’s head and the jeweled sword hilt.

21. How long was Beowulf in the water before the warriors lost hope? Beowulf was gone for nine hours when the Scyldings returned home. The Geats remained at the lake, but they did not expect to see their leader again. 22. How many men were needed to carry Grendel’s head to Herot? Four men carry the head. Chapter 24 Vocabulary: aught – nothing bastion – a fortification; stronghold

23. Describe the sword hilt that Beowulf gives to Hrothgar. What story is inscribed on the hilt? The ancient hilt is gold and has serpentine designs. On the hilt is etched the story of a great flood that God used to destroy the race of giants on the earth. Chapter 25 Vocabulary: covetous – envious; desiring the possession of another nigh – near overweening – excessively arrogant yore – time long past 24. What warning does Hrothgar give to Beowulf? Hrothgar warns Beowulf not to become prideful because he will then become covetous and hateful. He urges Beowulf to remember that God’s grace has given him glory. 25. How is Hrothgar more in keeping with Christian morality than pagan tradition? Hrothgar delivers a speech on the evils of pride, and he openly expresses his emotions and love. 26. Unferth gives Beowulf Hrunting, the sword, as a gift. Beowulf accepts the sword, and makes no mention of its failure when he fought with Grendel’s mother. What does Beowulf’s behavior reveal about his personality? Beowulf is a gracious man who does not gloat over Unferth’s shortcomings, such as his display of cowardice at the lake. Chapter 26 Vocabulary: wielding – waving around; carrying 27. What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar in the morning? Beowulf says that they are returning home. 28. Why does Hrothgar cry when he bids Beowulf farewell? Hrothgar is very fond of Beowulf, and he believes that he will never see the Geatish prince again. Hrothgar cries because he is sad. 29. How is Beowulf’s behavior different from when he first arrived in Hrothgar’s court, and why? Beowulf was extremely boastful when he first arrived, most likely to convince the Danes of his capabilities. He no longer has reason to brag, however, because his performance and victories can speak for him.

Chapter 27 Vocabulary: burnished – polished pretense – a claim, expecially unsupported, to a distinction or accomplishment 30. What does Beowulf give to the boat-warden? Beowulf gives the man a gilded sword. 31. How did Queen Thyrth earn a terrible reputation? Is her behavior customary in Germanic culture? Queen Thyrth was known for her cruelty; she had numerous warriors put to death for looking at her. Her behavior is not normal in her culture. 32. The author writes, “Although she is without peer, no wife should, upon false pretense of injury, take the life of a warrior thane!” What does this statement suggest about the roles or rights of women in this culture? A woman is socially significant enough for her honor to be valued as much as a warrior’s life. Chapter 28 Vocabulary: abject – utterly hopeless, desperate beseeched – asked earnestly; implored carnage – extensive slaughter, especially in battle; bloodshed sagacious – showing keen perception and sound judgment 33. What does Beowulf tell Higlac about Hrothgar’s daughter Freaw? Beowulf says that the fair princess Freaw is intended to marry the son of Froda. 34. According to Beowulf, what is the purpose of the marriage between Freaw and the Son of Froda? Does Beowulf think that the marriage will be successful, and why or why not? Hrothgar hopes that his daughter’s marriage to Froda’s son will ward off a blood feud. Beowulf does not think that the marriage will successfully stop a feud because he does not have faith in the Hathobard’s sincerity or loyalty to truce. Over time, Scylding men will be jealous of a Dane wearing their treasures and mingling in their hall. Eventually, their hate will start a feud. 35. Of what is Grendel’s satchel made, and what does Beowulf say the monster wanted to put in his satchel? The satchel is made from dragon hides that are wound together, and he uses it to hold the men that he snatches.

36. What do the Danish people do with their dead? Why are they unable to give Aeschere (Hrothgar’s advisor who is killed at Herot by Grendel’s mother) a proper funeral? The dead are burned on a pyre. Aeschere cannot receive a proper funeral because Grendel’s mother took his body. Chapters 29-31 Vocabulary: barrow – a tomb or vault usually buried beneath a small hill or mound bastion – a fortified place; strong defense, usually used figuratively hides – units of measurement for land in medieval England. One hide was the amo required to support a family, or approximately 60-120 acres, depending on the quality of land requitals – payment for services venerable – worthy of respect or reverance 37. What does Beowulf do with the treasure he receives from Hrothgar and why? Beowulf gives the treasure to Higlac because Higlac is his ruler, and Beowulf is an honest and devoted kinsman. 38. What is Beowulf’s greatest natural gift? Beowulf’s greatest natural gift is strength. 39. Why had Geatish warriors considered Beowulf “weak and unpromising prince.” before he was honored by Higlac? What does the warriors’ viewpoint say about their culture? Strong warriors believed that Beowulf was weak because he never killed anyone, and he was never cruel. The men consider hostility and brutality as positive character traits. 40. What does Higlac bestow upon Beowulf for his service? Higlac gives Beowulf Hrethel’s gold-decorated heirloom sword, seven thousand hides of land, a large house, and a seat of authority. 41. Both Beowulf and Higlac own land and estates because of their inheritance, but why does the kingship go to Higlac? Higlac is the older. 42. How long is Beowulf king before the trouble with a dragon begins? Beowulf is king for 50 years. Chapter 32 Vocabulary: respite – a brief delay or interval tankard – a large drinking cup with a handle and a lid

43. Why does a slave hide in the dragon’s lair? The slave is running away from his master to avoid severe punishment. 44. What is the origin of the dragon’s treasure, and who hid it? In ancient days, a prince hid the treasure as the legacy of a noble but forgotten race. 45. What does the slave remove from the cave, and why? The slave removes a cup and takes it to the king to beg for mercy. 46. How does the dragon know that a man took the cup? First, the dragon smells the man’s scent, and then the creature sees the man’s footprints where he walked past the dragon’s head. 47. How does the dragon respond to the theft? The dragon angrily searches for the villain; but, when he cannot be found, the dragon wages war on mortals. Chapter 33 Vocabulary: bereaved – in the state of being bereft Hetware – a Frankish tribe that lived near the Rhine River hordes – wandering tribes or groups 48. When does the dragon attack and why? The dragon attacks at night so that it can hide in the cave during the day. 49. Why does Beowulf have a shield made out of iron? Beowulf has a shield made out of iron so that it is fire-resistant. 50. Following Higlac’s death, whom do the people and Higd wish to be king? Why does he refuse? The people want Beowulf to be king because they believe that Herdred will be an ineffective king. Beowulf refuses the throne because it is not honorable to take Herdred’s rightful place. 51. When Higlac dies in battle, Beowulf is the only surviving warrior. Beowulf is forced to swim from the battle carrying how many coats of mail? Beowulf swims with thirty coats of mail. 52. How does Herdred die? The sons of Onela kill Herdred after he gives them shelter.