From the Translator’s Desk
Burton Raffel Introduces Beowulf
Directions: Use the space provided to answer the questions.
1. According to Burton Raffel, who or what drives the plot of Beowulf?
Powerful man eating monsters such as Grendel and Grendel’s mother, and a dragon.
2. What are two magical qualities that the hero Beowulf possesses?
He can swim forever and can hold his breath for an extended period of time underwater.
3. What are three ways that Beowulf’s name tells us that he is no mere human
He does not take his father’s name as his first name, his name means bear and wolf, his name breaks Anglo Saxon tradition.
4. According to Raffel, how does the author of Beowulf create suspense at the start of the poem?
By introducing Grendel first instead of Beowulf.
5. Why does Grendel’s mother enter the narrative?
To take revenge against Beowulf for what he did to Grendel.
6. According to Raffel, how does the fire-breathing dragon contrast with a good king like Beowulf?
The dragon fiercely guards and never shares its treasure.
7. What arguments does Raffel use to support his claim that Beowulf is “very much an Old Testament poem”? Do you find these arguments persuasive? Why or why not?
It doesn’t have any pagan gods, idols, or wanton human sacrifices like other poems of the time. These arguments are not persuasive because they are informational, not trying to prove a point.