Name:______
Period:______
Beowulf Reading Guide
Directions: Fill in the answers as we read and discuss the poem. Feel free to make additional notes on this handout as well.
“Grendel” pg. 33-35
1. What imagery associated with Grendel hints at his evil nature?
2. What is the poet alluding to in lines 5-13?
3. What motivates Grendel to kill?
4. Why do none of Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel?
5. How long has Grendel terrorized the land?
6. What evidence is there that Grendel symbolizes evil, and that the conflict is not only between men, but also between good and evil?
7. What is the implication of the fact that God prevents Grendel from touching Hrothgar’s throne?
8. Where do you see the influence of Christianity in Beowulf? If it was originally a pagan document, why do you think these influences are in there? (Remember your Anglo-Saxon History!)
“Beowulf” pg. 36-39
9. What were Beowulf’s past deeds that set him apart from others?
10. What is Beowulf’s single request of Hrothgar?
11. Why does Beowulf say we will meet Grendel hand to hand without weapons?
12. What characteristics of the epic do you see in first Beowulf’s visit to Hrothgar?
13. What is the connection between Hrothgar and Beowulf? Why might Hrothgar find it necessary to remind Beowulf of the time he helped Beowulf’s father?
14. What is the purpose of Hrothgar’s promise to Beowulf? What does Hrothgar’s speech tell us about him?
“The Battle with Grendel” pg. 40-44
15. How does the poet build suspense as Grendel approaches and enters Herot?
16. Why do you think Beowulf allows Grendel to slaughter one of the Geats before taking action himself?
17. What kennings are associated with Beowulf? With Grendel? Fill in the chart below with examples.
Beowulf / Grendel18. Describe Grendel’s reaction to Beowulf’s attack.
19. Why do you think Beowulf hangs Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot?
20. How do the actions of Beowulf’s men uphold the Anglo-Saxon code of honor?
21. What additional evidence is there that the fight between Grendel and Beowulf is symbolic of the war between good and evil?
“Grendel’s Mother” pg. 45-46
22. What is the poet saying in lines 400-405? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
23. Why do you think Grendel’s mother takes his claw?
24. Describe Grendel’s mother’s underground lair.
“The Battle with Grendel’s Mother” pg. 47-51
25. Predict in the chart what will happen in the final battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother. After we have read this section, come back and record the actual events.
Predictions / Actual Events26. What characteristic of an epic hero does Beowulf display in lines 450-452?
27. What is the importance of Beowulf’s armor?
28. What does the “brilliant light” in lines 472-474 signify?
29. Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother below.
30. When Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother, what characteristics help him remain unbeaten?
31. What saves Beowulf from being killed by Grendel’s mother’s dagger?
32. Do you feel any sympathy for Grendel’s mother? Why or why not?
”Beowulf’s Last Battle” pg. 52-55
33. What changes do you notice in Beowulf as he prepares to fight the dragon?
34. Why does Beowulf not rest on his laurels at this point, and instead fight, as an aged king, a battle whose odds are against him? What do you think Beowulf’s motivation is in going after the dragon’s treasure?
35. Agree or disagree: In his battle with the dragon, Beowulf accepts with valor and virtue his wyrd, the inescapable destiny all people in this world must accept. Explain your reasoning below.
36. Why do you think Beowulf’s men desert him now when earlier they came to his aid against Grendel?
37. Other than Beowulf’s men’s desertion of him, what might foretell the end of the Anglo-Saxons?
“The Death of Beowulf” and “Mourning Beowulf” pg. 56-60
38. What view of fate does the image of the unwinding string convey?
39. What does the warrior Wiglaf say about Beowulf?
40. Who kills the dragon?
41. Do you think that the Beowulf poet successfully portrays Beowulf as a hero even in the fight with the dragon? Why or why not?
42. What do Beowulf’s gifts to Wiglaf suggest about Wiglaf’s future?
43. How will Beowulf continue to aid his people after his death?
44. What do the Geats do to honor Beowulf after his death?
45. The poet ends the poem by saying that Beowulf was a mild ruler? Do you agree that Beowulf was a considerate or merciful ruler? Why or why not?