1

Beowulf Questions Parts I-III

Background Questions

  1. What is a hero? Explain your definition and give examples.
  1. What is courage? How would most people today define courage?
  1. What qualities do you believe a good leader should possess? Discuss leadership in our society. Name some modern leaders.
  1. What are the characteristics of contemporary leaders? What do we admire about them?
  1. What does it mean to be loyal? Tell about a time you were loyal or someone was loyal to you.
  1. Why is a reputation important? What factors influence a person’s reputation?
  1. Why is generosity important? What does it mean to be generous? Write about or discuss the most generous person you know.

Part I

  1. Describe Herot.
  1. Describe Grendel’s lair. How does it compare to Herot?
  1. What is the significance of Grendel being descended from Cain?
  1. Why does Grendel attack Herot?
  1. What had Herot symbolized before the coming of Grendel? After?
  1. Why is Hrothgar’s lieutenant concerned about the arrival of Beowulf and his men?
  1. How does the lieutenant recognize Beowulf as a hero?
  1. Imagine Beowulf’s thoughts as he waits for Grendel’s arrival. What is he thinking?
  1. Describe Grendel
  1. Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel.
  1. Why can’t the other warriors come to Beowulf’s aid?
  1. How does Beowulf wound Grendel?
  1. How do Beowulf and the Danes celebrate?

Part II

  1. Why does Grendel’s mother attack Herot? What does she take with her?
  1. Describe the lake.
  1. Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother.
  1. How does Beowulf defeat her?
  1. What does Beowulf do before he swims back to land?
  1. What do Hrothgar and the other warriors think has happened
  1. What two things does Beowulf present to Hrothgar?

Part III

  1. How does Beowulf become king of the Geats?
  1. Why doesn’t Beowulf fear the dragon?
  1. What do Beowulf’s boasts say about his character?
  1. Why does Beowulf want to fight the dragon alone?
  1. When does Beowulf realize he’s losing the battle with the dragon?
  1. What does he do?
  1. What do Beowulf’s followers do when they realize he’s losing?
  1. What does Wiglaf do?
  1. How is the dragon killed?
  1. What request does Beowulf make at the end?
  1. What does Wiglaf say to the rest of Beowulf’s followers?
  1. Why are ancestors so important to the warriors in Beowulf?
  1. Identify and discuss three instances of Christian influences on the poem.
  1. Discuss the role of reputation in Beowulf. Cite examples from the text.
  1. Discuss the behavior of Beowulf’s men in each of the three major battles.

Grendel:

Grendel’s Mother:

The Dragon:

  1. Compare and contrast the three major battles. Consider the cause of each monster’s attack, Beowulf’s motivation for countering the attack, Beowulf ’s battle preparations, and the conclusions of each battle.

Grendel:

Grendel’s Mother:

The Dragon:

  1. Briefly analyze the importance of one of symbols found in Beowulf—Herot, Grendel (especially his claw and head), the lair of Grendel and his mother, or the dragon’s hoard.
  1. Is Beowulf a hero? Why/why not? (explain your answer)