Name______Period______
Text book access- The British Tradition -Pearsonsuccessnet.com
Enter- student i.d. and password: trojans2016
The Epic – Beowulf – P. 33-34
- P. 34 - Record the 5 elements of the epic and define in your own words.
- List the folk epic excerpts you have read then list the literary epics excerpts.
- Record and define the 3 epic conventions.
P.36
1. Meet the Author/translator – Burton Raffel
2. What are some magical qualities of Beowulf?
3. What does the name Beowulf mean?
4. What about his name is extraordinary?
5. What is the grand beginning of the story?
6. What happens 50 years later?
7. What religion was prevalent when Beowulf was composed?
8. The epic is concerned with ______not religious issues.
9. What are the biblical elements of the story? What is the message of the story?
P. 38-Vocabulary
1. Record the 6 vocabulary words and definitions; write an original sentence for each word.
p. 39 - About Beowulf
1. Where does the action take place?
2. In what language is the story told? What time period?
3. What traveling minstrels were called-- ______.
4. When was the epic written down?
5. What could an Anglo Saxon learn from the tale?
P. 40 “The Wrath of Grendel”
1. Before we even know the creature’s name, what information do we have about it?
2. What judgments might we make about this creature’s relationship to society?
p. 42-43
1. In lines 23-29 – how is evil defined?
2. What is the main action happening in lines 34-40?
3. Why is Hrothgar’s throne untouched?
4. Why do the Danes flee Herot at night?
p. 44-45 – “The Coming of Beowulf”
1. How is Beowulf described in lines 109-122?
2. Why does Beowulf sail to Denmark?
p. 46-47-48
1. Lines 173-179- What does Beowulf’s view of identifying himself suggest about the values of a warrior culture?
2. Lines 185-190 – What details are given about Grendel?
3. Lines 229-213 – Why do you think Beowulf ordered some of his men to remain outside Herot with their weapons?
4. Where does the watchmen bring Beowulf?
5. How did Beowulf’s boasts of past deeds and his announcements of his plan establish him as a hero?
6. What is Beowulf’s plan? Why will he fight bare handed?
p. 49-50-51 “The Battle with Grendel”
1. What are Grendel’s goals as he approaches and enters Herot?
2. What is Grendel’s motivation to have and work towards these goals?
3. What happens when Grendel grabs Beowulf?
4. How is Herot described during the fight?
5. What was said about the swords drawn against Grendel?
6. How does Beowulf’s battle with Grendel end?
7. What happened to Grendel? Where did he go?
p. 51 -52“The Monster’s Lair”
1. Describe where the monsters live.
2. The stag refused to do what?
3. What does Beowulf resolve to do?
p.52-56 “The Battle with Grendel’s Mother”
1. Who does Beowulf ask Hrothgar to give his treasures to?
2. What is the name of Beowulf’s sword?
3. Who does he want his sword to go to?
4. The lake itself was a ______.
5. As his sword is useless, what weapon does Beowulf rely on?
6. What kind of sword finally kills Grendel’s mother?
7. What can we infer about Beowulf’s values based on his decision to take home Grendel’s head but leave the rich treasures behind?
8. Why do the Danes think Beowulf has been slain?
9. Beowulf returns home and rules for ______years.
10. Who is he to fight in his last battle?
p. 56 -61 “The Last Battle”
1. What is Beowulf’s final boast?
2. How does Beowulf plan to fight the dragon?
3. What did his comrades do?
4. How is this battle different from the others Beowulf has fought?
5. What soldier comes to his aid?
6. According to Wiglaf, what is Beowulf’s relationship with his followers?
7. What does Wiglaf say to the other soldiers?
p. 61 -62 “The Spoils”
1. What does Wiglaf bring to Beowulf?
2. What “family” is Beowulf referring to when he calls Wiglaf “the last of our far-flung family”?
3. What does Beowulf want built?
4. What does Beowulf give Wiglaf?
p. 63 – 64 “The Farewell”
1. What was put in the tower?
2. How does the ending reflect Christian values as opposed to pagan values?
p.65 #10. Reflect and answer.