Beowulf

Study Guide

The Monster Grendel

Book 1Find the phrase that points to Grendel’s evil nature and write it down.Lines 19 – 23 FYI – Cain is one of the Biblical son’s of Adam and Eve. He murdered his brother, Abel, and was cursed by God. Legend states Cain fathered a brood of monsters.

SummaryIntroduction to a terrible monster, born of Cain, that terrorizes Hrothgar’s men.Sets the setting as a once beautiful and serene place that has been turned into a “hell”.

Book 2 –

Herot – means hart. The hart was an Anglo-Saxon symbol of kingship.

Lines 37-53What does Grendel do at night?

Why don’t any of Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel?

Lines 85-89Why is this background information about Grendel and Hrothgar in the poem?

Find examples that show that this poem was originally composed by a pagan author and transcribed by a Christian monk.

Summary

Grendel has taken over Herot and is eating the men as often as he can.

Hrothgar and his council debate the best ways to be rid of Grendel.

Book 3 –

The Geats – Lived in what today is western Sweden.

Higlac, king of the Geats and Beowulf’s kinsman, was killed in a raid on the Franks in A.D. 521. The complete epic forecasts the Geats’ defeat by another tribe, the Swedes.

Lines 110 – 116What qualities of an epic hero are conveyed in these lines?

Summary

Beowulf hears of Hrothgar’s troubles and gathers thirteen of his best men and heads off to help Hrothgar.

The Arrival of the HeroBook 4 –

How has Beowulf begun to be glorified in the first five lines?Lines 150-162

What proof does Beowulf offer that he is up to the task of killing Grendel?

Why do you think Beowulf intends to fight Grendel without a sword?What do you think is the purpose of book four?

Summary

Hrothgar greets Beowulf and his men.

Beowulf tells of his plan to kill Grendel.

Book 5 – Lines 190 – 210

What causes Hrothgar to make this speech, reminding Beowulf of the time he helped his father?What is the probably effect of his words?

Identify the following in lines 210-220:

AlliterationKenningCaesura

SummaryHrothgar tells Beowulf of a time when he helped his father.All the men rejoice and celebrate Beowulf and his men coming to the rescue.

Unferth’s ChallengeBook 6 –

What is Unferth’s motive for challenging Beowulf?

Beowulf meets Unferth’s challenge with assertiveness and restraint. What are some of the things he might say if his goal were to be impolite or vengeful?

How does Unferth’s challenge build suspense?

Summary

Unferth challenges Beowulf by saying he isn’t as capable as he claims to be.

Book 7 –Lines 293-297In what ways does

Beowulf compare his defeat of the sea monsters to a feast?

Line 305-306Do you agree or disagree

with Beowulf? Explain.

How does Unferth serve as a foil to Beowulf?

Find the kenning in lines 340-343. What does it mean?

Lines 378-379How is the coming of night

personified?Lines 388-391What does Hrothgar promise

Beowulf? Why?Summary

Beowulf retells his bravery with a recollection of how he slew nine sea monsters and swam to safety.

The Battle with GrendelBook 8-

Why do you think Beowulf allows Grendel to slaughter one of the Geats before taking action himself?

What kennings associate Grendel with evil? (430-435) What form do the kennings take?

Lines 440-445-What verbs are used to emphasize the fierce grappling of Beowulf and Grendel?

Summary

Summarize book 8 in no more than 2 sentences.

Book 9 – How do the actions of Beowulf’s men uphold the Anglo-Saxon code of honor?What evidence of Christian/pagan tension do you see in lines 479-491?Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot?

Summary

Summarize book 9 in one sentence.

Book 10 –

Reread line 528-533.

How is the description of the lake Beowulf lies in suggestive of hell?

Lines 535 – 544

List all the examples of alliteration.

What is the purpose of the use of alliteration here?

Summary

Write a one sentence summary of book 10.

Book 11 – What imagery in the description of Grendel’s lair associates Grendel with death and darkness?

SummarySummarize books 1-11 in exactly six sentences.

The Monster’s Mother

Book 12 –

What setting details do you get in lines 590-594?

What characteristics of an epic hero does Beowulf display during his fight with Grendel’s mother?

How do you think the battle between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf will end?

SummaryBeowulf goes after Grendel’s mother.They fight and Beowulf almost dies.

Book 13 –

Do you think that lines 646-665 are an example of overkill? Explain.

Why does Beowulf keep fighting when the odds are against him?

Summary

Write a summary of book twelve in two sentences or less.

The Final BattleBook 14 – To what extent has

Beowulf remained an epic hero?

Finish the sequence of events:

1.Beowulf says goodbye to his followers.

2.Beowulf heads toward the dragon’s cave.

3. ?4. ?

Line 750 –Why do you think

Beowulf’s men desert him at this point?

SummaryHow far has Beowulf

come in the hero’s journey? (Refer to your notes if needed.)

Book 15 –

Why does Wiglaf decide to fight side by side with Beowulf?

Lines 789-790 –

Find the examples of alliteration in these lines.

Summary

Summarize book 15 in one sentence.

Book 16 –

How do Beowulf’s dying words fit comitatus (the warrior’s code)?

Is Beowulf and epic hero to the end? Explain.

Book 17 –

How do the Geats regard their king?

QuizDirections: Number your paper 1-9. Read each statement. If

the statement is true write T if it is false write F.

1. Grendel has been attacking Herot Hall for six months.

2. Beowulf requests that Hrothgar allow him to fight Grendel without his weapons.

3. Grendel cannot be harmed because he is protected by God.

4. Hrothgar gives Beowulf command of Herot, promising him treasures if he kills Grendel.

5. Using his ancestral sword, Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother.

6. Beowulf carries Grendel’s head to King Hrothgar and returns home with many fine gifts.

7. Beowulf becomes king of the Geats.

8. After Beowulf’s weapons fail him against the dragon, his men rush to help him.

9. Beowulf names Wiglaf as his successor to the throne.

AnswersSwitch papers with a partner and check their answers.

1. F

2. T

3. F

4. T

5. F

6. T

7. T

8. F

9. T