Beowulf
Study Guide
The Wrath of Grendel
1. What imagery is associated with Grendel, making his evil nature apparent?
words like: “demon…fiend…haunted the moors…his home in hell…spawned in slime
The Wrath of Grendel
2.         Describe the Biblical allusion and its significance to the passage. (lines 21-23)
Grendel is a descendent of Cain who murdered his brother Abel (biblical creation story) and therefore evil since he is opposition with God.
The Wrath of Grendel
3.         Explain what Grendel does at night.
Grendel kills Hrothgar’s men and carries their bodies off.
The Wrath of Grendel
4.         Explain lines 69-73.  How does this relate to the Anglo-Saxon custom of wergild?
the amount of money a person or family could accept instead of vengeance if a man was killed.
The Wrath of Grendel
5.         Why do the Danes flee Herot at night?
Because Grendel hunts at night while everyone sleeps.
The Wrath of Grendel
6. Why doesn’t Grendel touch Hrothgar’s throne?
It is protected by God who is unknown to Grendel.
The Coming of Beowulf
7. What qualities of an epic hero are conveyed in lines 110-116?
Anglo Saxons valued strength, leadership, willingness to help others, and bravery.
Beowulf sailed to the aid of his kinsman, Hrothgar, showing these qualities.
The Coming of Beowulf

1. Reading Skill: Determine Main Idea by Paraphrasing – lines 125-131

The Geats loaded their armor onto a strong ship, feeling ready for whatever might happen, following their hearts, they traveled past cliffs and through ocean currents.
The Coming of Beowulf
9. What does Beowulf’s way of identifying himself suggest about the values of a warrior culture? (lines173-179)
They valued military process, leadership, longevity, wisdom, and having a respected father.
The Coming of Beowulf
10. Where does the watchman bring Beowulf?
To Herot (the mead hall) so that he can speak to Hrothgar.
The Coming of Beowulf
11. How do Beowulf’s boasts of great deeds and his announcement of his plan establish him as a hero?
He is accomplished, he defeats giants, he is famous for such deeds, makes him confident that he can defeat Grendel – all typical of a legendary hero.
The Coming of Beowulf
12. Paraphrase Beowulf’s plans in lines 264-279.
Beowulf plans to wait for Grendel in the hall, and fight the monster with his bare hands even though he may die. He refuses to use a sword or shield believing this to be less honorable.
The Coming of Beowulf
13. According to line 305-309, what motivates Grendel to kill?
He enjoys killing and he is hungry.
The Coming of Beowulf
14. What happens when Grendel grabs Beowulf?
Beowulf gains the upper hand by bending back Grendel’s claws.
The Coming of Beowulf
15. What details in 332 -339 from the text show that Grendel is facing more difficulty than in the past?
“this was a different Herot” from the one that Grendel previously terrorized…”desiring nothing but escape” Grendel wants to leave

The Coming of Beowulf
16. Which details from this description of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel add realism? Which details add epic grandness? Grendels screams, shrieks and tears add realism while the idea that Grendel “had bewitch all men’s weapons” and Beowulf as a “mighty protector of men” adds grandness.
The Coming of Beowulf
17. Paraphrase lines 392-397:
The battle between Beowulf and Grendel ends with Beowulf being more famous. Grendel escaped wounded, and fled to his den at the bottom of a marsh where he dies.
The Coming of Beowulf
18. How does Beowulf’s battle with Grendel end?
When Beowulf snaps off Grendels’ arm, and the monster flees to his lair to die.
The Coming of Beowulf
19. What does Beowulf hang from the rafters of Herot?  Why does he do this?
Grendel’s arm, to prove that Beowulf killed Grendel.
The Monster’s Lair
20. Paraphrase lines 420-431; what literary elements are used to describe the scene; what do these lines tell you about Grendel’s background?
Nobody knows if there are other monsters like Grendel. Imagery and Simile
Grendel’s background is dark and mysterious.

The Monster’s Lair
21. How will the battle between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf end?
Beowulf will win because he is the epic hero.

The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
22. Who is Beowulf’s father? Who is Unferth? What is Hrunting?
Edgetho
One of Hrothgar’s Danish warriors who questions Beowulf’s bravery
A sword
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
23. To what extent has Beowulf remained an epic hero?
As stated in the translator’s note, like a true warrior, Beowulf fights for honor alone which proves he is a hero. He is “good” fighting “evil”.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
24. Paraphrase lines 467-481.
Beowulf, who has supernatural swimming abilities, sinks to the bottom of the lake in search of Grendel’s mother. She grabs him with her claws, tries unsuccessfully to harm him and drags him back to her home. He tries to fight back but can’t free his weapon.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
25. What literary elements are used to describe Beowulf’s sword in lines 494-495 and and in the lines that follow why is his sword useless against Grendel’s mother?
Personification and alliteration
She is so evil the sword can’t pierce her skin.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
26. How is the heavy sword which Beowulf grabs from the wall different from the previous sword?
It was made by giants and has magic; only a strong hero like Beowulf could lift it. This sword works against Grendel’s mother and she dies.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
27. Read lines 571-572. What Anglo Saxon lyric element is this an example of?
Kennings – poetic renaming
Grendel’s mighty mother, the she wolf
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
28. What can we infer about Beowulf’s values as an epic hero based on his decision to take home Grendel’s head but leave the rich treasures behind? – see lines 585-588
Beowulf values personal victories in battle far more than he values material possessions and riches.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
29. Why do the Danes think that Beowulf has been slain? See lines 563-578
The Danes believe that Beowulf is dead because they see blood coming up from the monster’s lake.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
30. At the end of the battle, what words reflect how the lake changes appearance, what does this symbolize? – see lines 592-595
Calm, clean, and peaceful
The death of the evil monsters Grendel and his mother

The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
31. Paraphrase lines 596-611.
Beowulf swam back to land. The Geats rejoice that his is alive. The left and walked away from the lake carrying Grendel’s skull to show the Danes in Herot.

The Last Battle
32. Why does Beowulf seek fame and why would this be especially important in his old age? See lines 625-626
It is important for Beowulf to be remembered after his death. This is the closest thing to an afterlife in Paganism.

The Last Battle
33. What does Beowulf’s speech in lines 630-649 suggest about Anglo Saxon values?

Beowulf feels no shame in using a weapon to fight the dragon because he plans to face the monster and not run. He demonstrates his self confidence and bravery – traits Anglo Saxons valued.

The Last Battle
34. How does Beowulf plan to fight the dragon? What do these lines reveal about the value of a warrior culture?
Using his armor, shield, and sword
Weapons and armor were highly valued and were one of the most important things a son inherited from his father.

The Last Battle
35. In your own words, paraphrase the events of Beowulf’s battle with the dragon. See lines 650-714
Beowulf approaches the dragon with confidence, standing firm as the dragon breaths fire. Beowulf’s shield begins to melt, so Beowulf attacks with his sword but it does not go deep enough. Beowulf realizes he may die and his fellow soldiers run away in fear.

The Last Battle
36. How do lines 645-692 (Beowulf against the dragon) represent a turning point?
Unlike his previous battles against monsters, Beowulf is loosing this one. Fate is against him.
The Last Battle
37. Why does Wiglaf decide to fight side by side with Beowulf? What does Wiglaf’s words to his fellow soldiers suggest?
Wiglaf does not want to be a coward and refuses to abandon his lord and kinsman, Beowulf, who has been kind and generous to him and the others as well.
Beowulf always did what he said, but they have failed to help their generous and brave leader betraying not only Beowulf but the whole value system of the warrior culture.

The Last Battle
38. Remember when Beowulf first landed in Denmark, he identified himself in terms of his father still being remembered? Why would Beowulf desire to have a tower built on his burial site?
Being remember was important, and a father’s glory could aid his son, and undying fame was a way of overcoming death. His desire to have a tower reminding his people of him illustrates this. (We still have gravestones today.)

The Last Battle
39. Who does Beowulf want to be the new leader?
Wiglaf

The Last Battle
40. What Christian figure is alluded to in lines 867-869?
The New Testament prince was Jesus Christ – evidence that Beowulf is not just a pagan poem (monks influence)
The Last Battle
41. How do the Geats regard their dead king?
They mourn him and praise him