Beowulf Study Questions - Part 1
“Grendel”
1. Describe Herot. (physical & symbolic)
2. Describe what transpires in the mead hall to evoke the anger of the monster.
3. What is Grendel’s lineage? Why is he described as being “born of Cain”?
4. What happens during Grendel’s first visit to Herot? When does this occur? Describe the scene.
5. How long does Grendel haunt Herot?
6. Why doesn’t Grendel attack Hrothgar?
7. To what measures do Hrothgar and his nobles resort to rid themselves of Grendel?
“Beowulf”
1. How does Beowulf react when he hears of the plight of the Danes and Hrothgar?
2. How are Beowulf and his men received when they arrive on the Danish shore?
3. Describe Beowulf’s boasts upon meeting Hrothgar, King of the Danes. Why is he boasting?
4.What one request does Beowulf make of Hrothgar?
5. If Beowulf loses the battle with Grendel, what are his instructions for after his death?
6. How did Hrothgar become king? What is his past relationship to the Geats?
7. What is the purpose of the feast that Hrothgar hosts in Beowulf’s honor?
“The Battle with Grendel”
1. How does Grendel respond when he comes to Herot? Describe his reaction to seeing the sleeping Geats.
2. Why does Beowulf wait, allowing Grendel to kill one of the Geats, before he attacks Grendel?
3. What happens when Grendel reaches for Beowulf?
4. What decision did Beowulf make before fighting Grendel? Why?
5. Describe the struggle that ensues between Beowulf and Grendel.
6. What happens when Beowulf’s men attack Grendel?
7. At the conclusion of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, what transpires?
8. On the morning following the battle, describe the reactions of Hrothgar’s people.
9. Describe the lake into which Grendel vanished.
10. What does the frequent reference to a grip throughout part foreshadow?
Beowulf Vocabulary
Directions: Match the word in the bank below to its proper definition below.
A. ScopB. MoorsC. LindenD. ComitatusE. Mead
F. GorgeG. HoaryH. TalonsI. SkulkedJ. Sinews
_____ 1. soft light wood
_____ 2. eats greedily
_____ 3. composers and storytellers of Anglo-Saxon poetry
_____ 4. an alcoholic drink of fermented honey and water
_____ 5. moved stealthily
_____ 6. A tract of open, wasteland, often overgrown with tall grasses with poor drainage
_____ 7. a bond of loyalty between a king and his men
_____ 8. claws
_____ 9. tendons
_____ 10. gray or white with age
Directions: Read the sentences below. Correctly place the word from the word bank in the appropriate sentence below.
A. ScopB. MoorsC. LindenD. ComitatusE. Mead
F. GorgeG. HoaryH. TalonsI. SkulkedJ. Sinews
_____ 1. When the battle was won, Hrothgar would keep his fierce warriors cups filled with refreshing ______as a reward for their hard work and to help them celebrate.
_____ 2. Beowulf knew that if he was unsuccessful, Grendel would ______himself on the meat of the his fellow Geats.
_____ 3. I’m sure the men in the hall could hear the ______of the man’s tendons ripping as Grendel tore their limbs apart.
_____ 4. Beowulf’s shield was made of all kinds of rare wood including ______, which was a lovely light color.
_____ 5. The script had become ______with age, but you could still read the delicate writing on the page.
_____ 6. Grendel ______into Herot undetected by the great Danish warriors.
_____ 7. Ancient stories like Beowulf were originally told by ______that traveled the land repeating the stories over and over again to each new tribe.
_____ 8. People often visit the grand cliffs and desolate ______in the countryside.
_____ 9. King Hrothgar had a strong sense of ______with his warriors. This is obvious by his building Herot Hall for them.
_____ 10. Grendel’s sharp ______ripped through men’s flesh as his hands tore them apart.