English IV AP Literature

English IV AP Literature

Beowulf Text Questions Study Guide

1. What does the conflict between the Danes and Grendel symbolize?

2. By the time Hrothgar’s grief is told and sung, what events have occurred in the poem. List them in order.

3. What are your first impressions of Beowulf?

4. How do the watchman’s words help characterize Beowulf?

5. According to Beowulf, what are Hrothgar’s options?

6. What happens before Beowulf and his followers leave their ship?

7. What are Beowulf’s credentials as a warrior?

8. What future event in the story do these lines foreshadow?

9. How does Beowulf differ from other warriors whom Grendel has attacked?

10. What motivates Beowulf in his time of need?

11. What events have occurred since Grendel entered Herot this night?

12. What heroic traits do Beowulf’s followers show?

13. Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm in the rafters?

14. Summarize what happens the morning after Beowulf’s triumph.

15. What might Beowulf’s journey to the she-wolf’s lair symbolize?

16. What qualities of Beowulf does this passage reveal?

17. What does this description imply about Beowulf’s strength?

18. Irony is a discrepancy between expectation and reality. What is ironic about the way Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother?

19. Why does Beowulf behead Grendel?

20. Why does the poet include this detail about the passage of time?

21. What traits do Beowulf’s followers show here?

22. What does this detail suggest about Beowulf’s conflict with the monsters?

23. What events precede the dragon’s attack on the Geats?

24. What does this passage suggest about Beowulf’s upcoming conflict with the dragon?

25. How do the dragon’s motives differ from those of Grendel?

26. What is ironic about this sequence of events?

27. What does this passage reveal about Beowulf as a ruler of his people?

28. How would you contrast Beowulf’s and Hrothgar’s responses to attack?

29. Is Beowulf being foolhardy or noble in deciding to fight alone? Explain.

30. What effect does this sequence of events create?

31. What does this passage reveal about Beowulf?

32. How does this passage show the bond of kinship in Anglo-Saxon culture?

33. What sequence of events led to Wiglaf’s receiving his armor and sword?

34. What does this passage reveal about the relationship between a chief and his warriors?

35. How might Wiglaf’s actions affect the fight?

36. What is ironic about Beowulf’s strength?

37. Why does Beowulf believe that he has been a good king?

38. Why does the treasure mean so much to Beowulf?

39. Why does Beowulf plan the tower so carefully?

40. Beowulf’s followers return to their leader after, not during, the battle. What can you conclude about them?