][Beowulf: Guided Reading Questions

Part 1: The Monster Grendel 1. What imagery associated with Grendel hints at his evil nature? Darkness, demon, fiend, haunted moors, wild marshes, hell, spawned in slime, Part 2 2. 3. How come none of Hrothgars men challenge Grendel? Because he was too strong and too evil What evidence is there that Grendel symbolizes evil and that the conflict is not only between men but is also between good and evil? Grendel attacks and kills for the sake of killing. He has no purpose. He commits crimes simply because he is evil. He is stated to be mankinds enemy. What is the implication of the fact that God prevents Grendel from touching Hrothgars throne? That Hrothgar is good and Grendel is an enemy of god. What is the purpose of Part 2? It sets the mood for what Grendel is and explains Grendels evil.

4. 5. Part 3 6.

In 2-3 sentences, summarize Part 3. Hrothgar and his people were very sad. Beowulf heard and sailed to help with 14 men.

Part 4: The Arrival of the Hero 7. Does Beowulfs boasting show him to be offensively arrogant? No it makes him seem qualified for the job. 8. Why do you think Beowulf intends to fight Grendel without a sword? To show his manliness and his skill. Also, to make sure people dont think less of him for fighting with a sword against one with no weapons. 9. What do you think is the purpose of Part 4? To introduce us to Beowulf and his personality. Part 5 10. Why might Hrothgar find it necessary to remind Beowulf of the time he helped Beowulfs father? To give Beowulf greater incentive to help. 11. What does Hrothgars speech tell us about him? That he is desperate and the poor condition they are in as a result of Grendel. Also, his desire to nobly help. Part 6: Unferths Challenge 12. What is Unferths motive for challenging Beowulf? To prevent him from achieving fame and glory greater than his own. Part 7 13. In what ways does Beowulf compare his defeat of the sea monsters to a feast? He compares it to a feast in which he deals out blood and death instead of food 14. This poem deals with self versus fate (fate was actually called wryd during Beowulfs time). What do you think Beowulf believes about fate? That he is saved by fate and he is indestructible by the forces of evil. 15. How does Unferth serve as a foil to Beowulf? He is the opposite of him. Unferths reputation isnt as large as Beowulfs, Unferth killed his family, Beowulf kills monsters. Beowulf believes he can kill Grendel unferth believes he cant. 16. What is revealed about Welthows character in this portion of the text? That she is firm and elegant but also subservient to Hrothgar 17. What is the purpose of Hrothgars promise to Beowulf? To increase his incentive to win. Part 8: The Battle with Grendel

18. Why do you think Beowulf allows Grendel to slaughter one of the Geats before taking action himself? So that he can judge Grendels strength and ability 19. Find two kennings from this section that associate Grendel with evil. Shepherd of Evil, Guardian of Crime 20. What specific verbs are used to create a tone of fierceness in Beowulfs confrontation with Grendel? Flooded with fear, clutched Grendel closer, Part 9 21. What do the actions of Beowulfs men reveal about the Anglo-Saxon code of honor? That one should be willing to die for their country and their prince. 22. What additional evidence is there that the fight between Beowulf and Grendel represents a clash between good and evil? Grendel is able to bewitch and use magic indicating his satanic ability. Furthermore, all of beowulfs men are unable to conquer him 23. Why do you think Beowulf hangs Grendels arm from the rafters of Herot? To make a point that he conquered Grendel and to ward him away with fear. Part 10 24. In 2-3 sentences, summarize Part 10. From Grendel by John Gardner 25. Look at the first half of paragraph two. What is the tone of this passage? 26. How do you feel about Grendel as you read Gardners interpretation? Part 11 27. What imagery in the description of Grendels lair associates Grendel with death and darkness? Part 12: The Monsters Mother 28. When Beowulf fights with Grendels mother, what characteristics help him remain unbeaten? 29. What saves Beowulf from being killed by Grendels mothers dagger? 30. Do you feel any sympathy for Grendels mother? Explain. Part 13 31. In 2-3 sentences, summarize Part 13. Part 14: The Final Battle 32. Describe Beowulf as he sets out for this final encounter. 33. What do you think Beowulfs motivation is for going after the dragons treasure hoard? 34. Would you agree or disagree with this statement? In his battle with the dragon, Beowulf accepts his wyrd with valor and virtue. 35. Why do you think Beowulfs men desert him right now when earlier they came to his aid in his fight against Grendel? Part 15 36. What are Wiglafs admirable qualities? Explain. Part 16 37. Other than the desertion of Beowulf by his men, what might foretell the end of the Anglo-Saxons? 38. Do you think the Beowulf poet successfully portrays Beowulf as a hero even in his fight with the dragon? Why? Part 17 39. What attitude toward heroes is shown by the Geats? Is our own tradition similar to the Geats? Life in 999: A Grim Struggle 40. What was life like as Chua-Eoan describes it?