STUDY GUIDE- BEOWULF
1. What imagery is associated with Grendel to hint that he is evil?
2. What is a mead hall?
3. To what is the poet alluding in lines 5-13?
Part 2
4. Copy line 31.
What literary device is used in line 31?
5. Describe the monster’s thoughts.
What literary device is used?
6. What does Grendel do to the sleeping men?
7. Why does no one challenge Grendel?
8. What is the basic symbolism derived from lines 50-58?
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9. How long does Herot stand empty?
10. What is the implication of the fact that God prevents Grendel from touching Hrothgar’s throne?
11. What is the purpose of Part 2?
12. How are lines 90-94 different from the rest of the poem? What is the explanation for this?
Part 3
13. Who is Higlac?
14. Who is Beowulf?
15. How many men does Beowulf take with him?
Part 4
16. Beowulf can be accused of being boastful. Is he arrogant? In what situations is boasting expected?
17. What is Beowulf’s one request?
18. How does Beowulf intend to fight Grendel?
19. What do you think is the purpose of Part 4; how do the Anglo-Saxons feel about fate (which they call WYRD)?
Part 5
20. Why might he tell the story of Beowulf’s father?
21. What does Hrothgar’s speech tell us about him?
22. How does this section end?
Part 6
23. What is Unferth’s motive for challenging Beowulf?
24. What is the purpose of Part 6?
Part 7
25. Copy lines 305-306.
Fate saves …
One of the themes of Beowulf deals with the idea of the self versus fate – what does Beowulf believe about fate?
26. In literature a foil is a character who contrasts with another. Who is Beowulf’s foil?
27. According to Line 320, what terrible act does Unferth commit?
28. Describe Hrothgar’s mood (line 340).
What kenning is used to describe Hrothgar in line 341?
29. Describe Welthow’s actions.
Based on this description, what characteristics are valued in Anglo-Saxon women?
30. Before sleep, what does Hrothgar say to Beowulf (lines 385-391)?
Part 8
31. Describe what Grendel does to the first Geat he comes to.
Why does Beowulf allow this to happen?
32. What kenning associates Grendel with evil?
33. How was Herot constructed? What held the walls together?
Part 9
34. How do the actions of Beowulf’s men uphold the Anglo-Saxon code of honor?
35. Why do the weapons pose no harm to Grendel?
36. What wound does Grendel suffer?
37. Why do you think Beowulf hangs Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot?
38. How does line 510 reflect the concept of heroic boast?
Part 10
39. Define pilgrimage.
40. Lines 528-533 describe Grendel’s lair but it is compared to what in the Christian world?
BE AWARE OF THE NARRATIVE HERE THAT REPLACES PART OF THE POEM WITH A SUMMARY.
Part 11
41. Describe Grendel’s and his mother’s lair as described by the king.
42. How is this description different from the "picture" of Herot?
BE AWARE OF THE NARRATIVE HERE THAT REPLACES PART OF THE POEM WITH A SUMMARY.
Part 12
43. When Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother, what characteristics help remain unbeaten?
44. What saves Beowulf from being killed by Grendel’s mother’s dagger?
45. For what does Beowulf long for that allows him to keep fighting? How is this reflective of the Anglo-Saxons?
45. Do you feel sympathy for Grendel’s mother? Why or why not?
Part 13
46. How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother?
47. What might the "brilliant light" symbolize?
48. What does Beowulf finally do to Grendel?
BE AWARE OF THE NARRATIVE HERE THAT REPLACES PART OF THE POEM WITH A SUMMARY.
In the summary – why does Beowulf not rest on his laurels at this point instead of fighting, as an aged king, a battle who odds are against him?
Part 14
49. What has Beowulf been doing since his battle with Grendel’s mother?
50. What is Beowulf’s final task?
51. Describe Beowulf as he sets out for his final encounter.
52. What are Beowulf’s motives for going after the dragon’s treasure hoard?
53. Lines 736-741 are a reflections of what AS idea?
54. What break in Anglo-Saxon tradition happens regarding Beowulf’s men in lines 746-749.
Why do you think that his men desert him?
Part 15
55. What one man stands to support Beowulf?
What stand does he take on the issue – what does he say about boasts – do his last lines remind you of anything?
BE AWARE OF THE NARRATIVE HERE THAT REPLACES PART OF THE POEM WITH A SUMMARY.
Part 16
56. What is the outcome of the battle?
57. The Anglo-Saxons believed that the amassing of treasure was a way of momentarily defeating wyrd. So what is Beowulf saying with his final words lines 802-816?
58. What kind of tomb does Beowulf desire?
59. What is an elegy? How are lines 821-824 elegaic?
Part 17
60. What line shows how the Anglo-Saxons view their heroes? Exaplin this.