1. What Words Or Phrases Point to Grendel S Evil Nature?

Name______Period ______

Beowulf Questions Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. All answers must be in complete sentences. Neatness counts

Grendel 1. What words or phrases point to Grendel’s evil nature? 2. What universal theme do lines 25- 29 suggest? 3. What is the meaning of lines 48-49? 4. What does the kenning “hell-forged hands” suggest about Grendel? 5. Why doesn’t Grendel touch Hrothgar’s throne? Beowulf 1. What qualities of the epic hero are conveyed by lines 109-116? 2. What impression of Beowulf does the poet convey through Beowulf’s opening remarks to Hrothgar? 3. What is the effect of having Beowulf describe his own heroic deeds? 4. Why do you think Beowulf plans to fight Grendel without a sword? 5. Why does Beowulf feel that it is his duty to help Hrothgar? The Battle with Grendel

1. What specific details suggest that Grendel is a creature of pure evil? 2. What character traits of an epic hero does Beowulf portray in lines 268-288? 3. Why do you think Beowulf allows Grendel to slaughter one of the Geats before taking action himself? 4. What drives Grendel to attack so many men at Herot? 5. How do the actions of Beowulf’s men uphold the Anglo-Saxon code of honor? Grendel’s Mother

1. Why does Grendel’s mother kill and take one of the Danes? 2. Does the poet’s description of the battle adequately describe the ferocity? Why? 3. What details of setting help to create an ominous mood? The Battle with Grendel’s Mother

1. What specific details suggest that the underwater lair of Grendel’s mother is an evil place? 2. In lines 464-474, what details of the battle and its setting are characteristic of an epic? 3. What seems to be Beowulf’s primary reason for fighting Grendel’s mother? What does the poet say is Beowulf’s reason? 4. Where do we again see examples of Beowulf as an epic hero? 5. Why do you think the Geats want the Danes to see Grendel’s skull? Name______Period ______Beowulf’s Last Battle 1. What do lines 606-612 foreshadow? 2. Why, with the odds against Beowulf, does he go to fight the dragon? 3. What do lines 668-671 reveal about the qualities of an epic hero? 4. Why do you think Beowulf’s men desert him? 5. Why does Wiglaf decide to fight beside Beowulf?

The Death of Beowulf/ Mourning Beowulf 1. Why is it important for Beowulf to leave a legacy behind? (lines 812-819) 2. What does Wiglaf’s speech in lines 851-862 tell you about the importance of honor and the consequences of dishonorable behavior in Beowulf’s time? 3. Is Beowulf an epic hero to the end? Why or why not? 4. How do the Geats feel about their dead King? How do you know?

Writing Prompts

Prompt #1  Do you feel that Beowulf exemplifies a hero? Why or why not? (give specific examples with line numbers and/or quotes)

Prompt #2  Explain the “code” that the people of the story lived by. What did they value? Where do you see this? (give specific examples with line numbers)

Prompt #3  Where in the poem do you see Christian elements contrasting with Pagan ideas? Which do you think is stronger in the poem? Cite specific examples to support your ideas.