Beowulf Study Questions

1. Two part question

·  Cite three characteristic of an EPIC POEM.

·  Name three ways Beowulf fits the model of the epic poem.

2. Provide three facts that describe the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon culture.

3. Name two specific contributions Christianity made to the Anglo-Saxon culture that

impacted change.

4. Two part question

·  What is Grendel’s lineage?

·  Early on, what does the reader know about Grendel that is different from what the villagers know?

5. Identify two examples of the following by providing the actual quote, line number and page number: kenning, alliteration, and caesura.

6. Identify by quote, line number, and page number where the some of the community members resort to pagan tradition to handle the problem with Grendel.

7. Provide two examples that show aspects of the Christian Anglo-Saxon culture in Beowulf?

8. Cite three cultural values portrayed in Beowulf that continue to live on in American’s cultural fabric?

9. Using the definition given to you for an epic hero, cite aspects of Beowulf’s character that make him an epic hero and explain?

10. Why does Hrothgar ask Beowulf to battle Grendel’s mother?

11. Three part question

• What is the name of the special sword?

• Who gives it to Beowulf?

• What happens to the “magnificent sword”?

12. Two part question

• How does Beowulf eventually slay Grendel’s mother?

• Which hero trait does this follow?

13. What does Beowulf do with the body of Grendel that he finds lying in a corner of the lair?

14. Two part question

• What is happening on the surface with Hrothgar’s men while Beowulf is fighting under the lake?

• What literary device is this?

15. What “trophy” does Beowulf give to Hrothgar as a symbol of his victory over the demons?

16. Compare and contrast Grendel and his mother. Set up a frame with three basis for

comparison.

17. Two part question

• Define the term dichotomy.

• List three dichotomies that occur in this epic poem.

18. Compare and contrast the young Beowulf with the old Beowulf. Set up a frame with three

basis for comparison.

19. Three part question

• What is the focus of Wiglaf’s speech in lines 851 – 862?

• What does this tell you about Anglo-Saxon core values?

• What might this foreshadow or suggest about the era?

20. What does the fact that Beowulf is able to defeat Grendel and Grendel’s mother but is unable

to survive after battling the dragon suggest in regards to theme? Consider what each

symbolizes.

21. Two part question

• What is Beowulf’s dying request?

• What does this suggest about him and the cultural values of the time?