Questions: Beowulf (All responses must have textual support. Put your support in quotes.)
I. Section: “Grendel” - pages 38-41
A. During Reading:
1. Track the traits of Grendel
2. List descriptions of mead hall
3. Share 3 examples of imagery that STAND OUT
4. Write a plot summary of the section
B. After Reading:
1. List the problems Grendel represents for the people
2. What could be possible reactions of the Anglo-Saxon audience?
3. What “need” does this section set up in the epic poem?
II. Section: Beowulf - pages 42-45
A. During Reading:
1. Summarize Beowulf’s explanation as to why he is going to help Hrothgar and the Danes
2. Track traits of Beowulf
3. Write a plot summary of the entire section
4. Share 3 instances of imagery that STICK OUT
B. After Reading:
1. Explain how Beowulf’s tale within a tale would affect his audience
2. Explain who the Geats are
3. Predict what the battle (Beowulf v. Grendel) will be like
III. Section: “The Battle with Grendel” - pages 46-50
A. During Reading:
1. What is Beowulf’s plan?
2. Identify 3 kennings (definition on page 34)
3. Provide 3 lines that prove Grendel’s evilness.
4. How does Grendel react to Beowulf’s grip? (l. 271)
5. What is the “new terror”? (l. 307)
6. What special ability of Grendel is revealed in lines 313 - 330?
7. Why is Grendel’s death assumed?
8. What symbolizes their victory?
9. How are the Danes feeling? (last paragraph)
B. After Reading:
1. What motivates Grendel to constantly attack mead hall at Herot?
IV. Section: “Grendel’s Mother” - pages 51-52
A. During Reading:
1. What is her plan?
2. What does she accomplish?
3. What does Hrothgar suggest?
B. After Reading:
1. What challenges of Anglo-Saxon life are represented by Grendel’s Mother
seeking revenge for the death of Grendel?
V. Section: “The Battle with Grendel’s Mother” - pages 53-57
A. During Reading:
1. What 2 conventions of an epic (page 35) are evidenced in this description of
Beowulf’s decent into the lake? (l. 450-474.5)
2. What 2 traits of an epic hero (page 35) are evidenced in Beowulf?
3. What are the kennings in lines 475-476?
4. Why is Beowulf able to kill Grendel’s mom?
5. What do elder Danes believe? (l. 546-561.5)
6. What do they believe the relationship between fame and life is? (l. 552)
7. What does Beowulf have when he surfaces?
8. In what sense has Beowulf fulfilled another trait of the Epic Hero? (page 35)
VI. Section: “Beowulf’s Last Battle” - pages 58-61
A. During Reading:
1. What has changed since the last section?
2. What must Beowulf fight?
3. How does Beowulf justify using weapons?
4. When does it seem Beowulf will likely lose this fight? Why?
5. What value does the line “what kinship should mean” echo? (l. 696)
6. Summarize Wiglaf’s speech on page 61.
VII. Section: “The Death of Beowulf” - pages 62-65
A. During Reading:
1. What is summarized in the italicized text that is considered significant?
2. What traits does Beowulf value? (l. 744-755)
3. What does Beowulf say in lines 759-763?
4. In line 805, Beowulf clarifies his request; why did he want to see the treasure?
5. How is Beowulf’s final request consistent with traits of an Epic hero?
6. Wiglaf’s tirade to the “cowards” tells you what about the importance of honor?
7. What happens to those who behave dishonorably?
B. After Reading:
1. How would you interpret the ideals reflected in Beowulf’s speech? (l. 742-763)
VIII. Section: “The Mourning of Beowulf” - page 66
A. During Reading:
1. What happens to the treasure?
2. How do the people regard Beowulf?
IX. Section: “Beowulf After Reading” - page 67
A. During Reading:
1. Make a T-chart and list the traits of an epic hero in one column, and “evidence of
Beowulf possessing these traits in the other column
2. Beowulf defeats Grendel and Grendel’s Mother, but loses his life to the Dragon. What theme does this suggest about the struggle between good and evil?
B. After Reading:
1. What would a modern-day Beowulf look like?
===============================================================================================================================
Many lessons for today: Choose one of the following lessons and write a one page summary on why you think it is the most important lesson that relates to modern society.
1. Crisis Management - For years, Grendel has been picking off King Hrothgar’s best men.
2. Deliver on your promises - Beowulf boasts he can kill Grendel. He does by ripping him apart.
3. Reward good works - The king rewards Beowulf by giving him gifts made from gold.
4. Beware of unfinished tasks - Grendel’s mother seeks revenge and kills the King’s most
beloved counselor. “Don’t get mad, get even.:
5. Plan for a successor - With Beowulf dead, no one was there to take his place.
I. Section: “Grendel” - pages 38-41
A. During Reading:
1. Track the traits of Grendel
2. List descriptions of mead hall
3. Share 3 examples of imagery that STAND OUT
4. Write a plot summary of the section
B. After Reading:
1. List the problems Grendel represents for the people
2. What could be possible reactions of the Anglo-Saxon audience?
3. What “need” does this section set up in the epic poem?
II. Section: Beowulf - pages 42-45
A. During Reading:
1. Summarize Beowulf’s explanation as to why he is going to help Hrothgar and the Danes
2. Track traits of Beowulf
3. Write a plot summary of the entire section
4. Share 3 instances of imagery that STICK OUT
B. After Reading:
1. Explain how Beowulf’s tale within a tale would affect his audience
2. Explain who the Geats are
3. Predict what the battle (Beowulf v. Grendel) will be like
III. Section: “The Battle with Grendel” - pages 46-50
A. During Reading:
1. What is Beowulf’s plan?
2. Identify 3 kennings (definition on page 34)
3. Provide 3 lines that prove Grendel’s evilness.
4. How does Grendel react to Beowulf’s grip? (l. 271)
5. What is the “new terror”? (l. 307)
6. What special ability of Grendel is revealed in lines 313 - 330?
7. Why is Grendel’s death assumed?
8. What symbolizes their victory?
9. How are the Danes feeling? (last paragraph)
B. After Reading:
1. What motivates Grendel to constantly attack mead hall at Herot?
IV. Section: “Grendel’s Mother” - pages 51-52
A. During Reading:
1. What is her plan?
2. What does she accomplish?
3. What does Hrothgar suggest?
B. After Reading:
1. What challenges of Anglo-Saxon life are represented by Grendel’s Mother
seeking revenge for the death of Grendel?
V. Section: “The Battle with Grendel’s Mother” - pages 53-57
A. During Reading:
1. What 2 conventions of an epic (page 35) are evidenced in this description of
Beowulf’s decent into the lake? (l. 450-474.5)
2. What 2 traits of an epic hero (page 35) are evidenced in Beowulf?
3. What are the kennings in lines 475-476?
4. Why is Beowulf able to kill Grendel’s mom?
5. What do elder Danes believe? (l. 546-561.5)
6. What do they believe the relationship between fame and life is? (l. 552)
7. What does Beowulf have when he surfaces?
8. In what sense has Beowulf fulfilled another trait of the Epic Hero? (page 35)
VI. Section: “Beowulf’s Last Battle” - pages 58-61
A. During Reading:
1. What has changed since the last section?
2. What must Beowulf fight?
3. How does Beowulf justify using weapons?
4. When does it seem Beowulf will likely lose this fight? Why?
5. What value does the line “what kinship should mean” echo? (l. 696)
6. Summarize Wiglaf’s speech on page 61.
VII. Section: “The Death of Beowulf” - pages 62-65
A. During Reading:
1. What is summarized in the italicized text that is considered significant?
2. What traits does Beowulf value? (l. 744-755)
3. What does Beowulf say in lines 759-763?
4. In line 805, Beowulf clarifies his request; why did he want to see the treasure?
5. How is Beowulf’s final request consistent with traits of an Epic hero?
6. Wiglaf’s tirade to the “cowards” tells you what about the importance of honor?
7. What happens to those who behave dishonorably?
B. After Reading:
1. How would you interpret the ideals reflected in Beowulf’s speech? (l. 742-763)
VIII. Section: “The Mourning of Beowulf” - page 66
A. During Reading:
1. What happens to the treasure?
2. How do the people regard Beowulf?
IX. Section: “Beowulf After Reading” - page 67
A. During Reading:
1. Make a T-chart and list the traits of an epic hero in one column, and “evidence of
Beowulf possessing these traits in the other column
2. Beowulf defeats Grendel and Grendel’s Mother, but loses his life to the Dragon. What theme does this suggest about the struggle between good and evil?
B. After Reading:
1. What would a modern-day Beowulf look like?
===============================================================================================================================
Many lessons for today: Choose one of the following lessons and write a one page summary on why you think it is the most important lesson that relates to modern society.
1. Crisis Management - For years, Grendel has been picking off King Hrothgar’s best men.
2. Deliver on your promises - Beowulf boasts he can kill Grendel. He does by ripping him apart.
3. Reward good works - The king rewards Beowulf by giving him gifts made from gold.
4. Beware of unfinished tasks - Grendel’s mother seeks revenge and kills the King’s most
beloved counselor. “Don’t get mad, get even.:
5. Plan for a successor - With Beowulf dead, no one was there to take his place.