Beowulf Reading Check #2
The Battle with Grendel’s MotherName:______
1. What does Grendel’s mother do in response to her son’s death?
2. What is Beowulf’s reaction to Grendel’s mother’s attack on the Danes?
3. Identify an example of personification in lines 446-450. Why is this personification fitting?
4. What inference can you make about Grendel’s mother from lines 450-453?
5. What is Hrunting?
6. What happens to Beowulf’s helmet in the fight with Grendel’s mom?
7. When his sword fails him, what does Beowulf decide to use to battle Grendel’s mom?
8. Beowulf reaches his lowest point in lines 470-472. In other epic movies you’ve seen or books you’ve read, what usually occurs just after the hero’s lowest point?
9. How is Beowulf’s method of killing Grendel’s mother ironic?
10. Identify the sudden light that shines just after Grendel’s mother is killed (line 498).
11. Explain why lines 518- 533 is an example of Dramatic Irony.
12. What does Beowulf do to Grendel’s body when he finds it lying dead in the corner?
13. What two things did Beowulf take from Grendel and Grendel’s mother’s under-lake cave?
14. What happens to the Giants’ sword after Beowulf uses it on Grendel?
15. Who is “the noble protector of all seamen?”
16. What happened to the lake water when the Geats begin to leave the lake at the end of this selection?
17. How did the warriors react to Beowulf bringing Grendel’s head to Hrothgar?
18. On the back of this sheet, sketch a scene from this selection. Incorporate as many details of dress, demeanor and action as possible.
Beowulf Reading Check #2
The Battle with Grendel’s MotherName:
1. What does Grendel’s mother do in response to her son’s death?
She raids Herot and kills Hrothgar’s trusted warrior and carries Grendel’s arm back to her cave
2. What is Beowulf’s reaction to Grendel’s mother’s attack on the Danes?
He decides to persue her and jumps into the lake to swim down to her cave.
3. Identify an example of personification in lines 446-450. Why is this personification fitting?
The iron sword is said to be singing a song. When a long object is swung through the air, it make a high-pitched sound like singing. Here the sword may also be singing because it is eager to cut off the monster’s head.
4. What inference can you make about Grendel’s mother from lines 450-453?
She is supernatural and is protected by magic against human weapons.
5. What is Hrunting?
A sword that a Danish warrior had lent to Beowulf.
6. What happens to Beowulf’s helmet in the fight with Grendel’s mom?
She bit into it.
7. When his sword fails him, what does Beowulf decide to use to battle Grendel’s mom?
His bare hands.
8. Beowulf reaches his lowest point in lines 470-472. In other epic movies you’ve seen or books you’ve read, what usually occurs just after the hero’s lowest point? The hero usually overcomes.
9. How is Beowulf’s method of killing Grendel’s mother ironic? She is killed by her own sword. Magic kills magic.
10. Identify the sudden light that shines just after Grendel’s mother is killed (line 498). It is the light of grace after sin has been vanquished or the light of freedom
11. Explain why lines 518- 533 is an example of Dramatic Irony. The warriors think Beowulf is surely dead, but we know he is alive and has killed the monster.
12. What does Beowulf do to Grendel’s body when he finds it lying dead in the corner? Beowulf cuts off Grendel’s head.
13. What two things did Beowulf take from Grendel and Grendel’s mother’s under-lake cave? The hilt of the Giant’s sword and Grendel’s head.
14. What happens to the Giants’ sword after Beowulf uses it on Grendel? The blade melted
15. Who is “the noble protector of all seamen?” Beowulf – this is a kenning
16. What happened to the lake water when the Geats begin to leave the lake at the end of this selection? Grendel’s blood began bubbling up.
17. How did the warriors react to Beowulf bringing Grendel’s head to Hrothgar? They all stared at the horrible and strange sight.
18. On the back of your answers, sketch a scene from this selection. Incorporate as many details of dress, demeanor, and action as possible.