Beowulf Study Guide. 3. Before we even know this creature s name, what information do we have about it?

Transcription

1 Proper Heading Beowulf Study Guide Wrath of Grendel Coming of Beowulf The Battle with Grendel The Monster s Lair The Battle with Grendel s Mother The Last Battle The Spoils The Farewell 1. Think of a story in which a hero slays a dragon or other mythological beast. What obstacles must the heroes overcome on the way to victory and characteristics the heroes share? 2. Contrast the description of Herot with the dwelling of the monster Grendel in the first 4 lines of the poem. 3. Before we even know this creature s name, what information do we have about it? 4. Using lines 28 and 29, write a definition for the word evil as the poet might have defined it. 5. Paraphrase what happens in lines Turn your paraphrase into a one sentence main idea.

2 7. What does Raffel mean when he says, monsters are interested in fights they know they will win? 8. What is a reparation? 9. Read lines How does the poem establish that the coming battle is not just a battle between a hero and a monster, but a battle between good and evil? 10. An epic hero embodies the values and ideals of the culture that produces him. Based on the description of Beowulf in lines , what qualities do you think the Anglo Saxons valued. 11. What details in lines indicate that Beowulf has these qualities? 12. Why does Beowulf sail to Denmark? 13. Read lines What does Beowulf s way of identifying himself suggest about the values of a warrior culture? 14. Note: Beowulf was shaped in part by Christian ideas about the nature of good and evil. Biblical language describes the devil as prowling for unsuspecting prey and working undetected while people sleep. 15. How does the Christian description of the devil fit the way evil characters were described in literature? 16. Where does the watchman bring Beowulf? 17. List the accomplishments Beowulf boasts about.

3 18. What reason does Beowulf give for fighting barehanded? 19. Read lines What are Grendel s goals as he approaches and enters Herot? 20. How do you think Grendel feels about killing? How do you know that from the text? 21. What happens when Beowulf grabs Grendel? 22. How is Grendel acting the same way a bully would act? 23. Which details from lines add realism? Which details add epic grandness? 24. Paraphrase the sentence in lines What is the difference between victory and glory? 26. Who is Edgetho s brave son? 27. What action is happening in lines ? 28. What is Raffel s definition of a true warrior?

4 29. What requests does Beowulf make before he dives into the lake? 30. Describe Grendel s mother. 31. What can we infer about Beowulf s values based on his decision to take home Grendel s head but leave the rich treasures behind? 32. Why do the Danes think Beowulf has been slain? 33. What is the main idea of the events that are happening in lines ? 34. How does Beowulf plan to fight the dragon? 35. Did the Anglo Saxons value honor above other values? What other literary character valued honor more than life? 36. What are the events that happen while Beowulf is fighting the dragon? 37. Read lines What do these lines reveal about the values of warrior culture? 38. What does Beowulf realize in lines ?

5 Note: Beowulf and his followers are bound together by his generous gifts and their oaths. Their bond is one of life and death and trust, since the followers swear to give their lives for Beowulf, while Beowulf relies on his followers to aid him in battle. 39. How do you think the outcome of the story would have changed if Wiglaf had not stayed behind to fight with Beowulf? 40. What does Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do? 41. What does Wiglaf discover about the treasure? 42. Why does Wiglaf decide to come to Beowulf s aid? Note: When Beowulf landed in Denmark, he identified himself in terms of his father being remembered even though he had died several years ago. 43. In Beowulf s death scene, what is shown about the importance of the remembrance of individuals after death? 44. How do we remember the dead today? 45. What family is Beowulf referring to when he calls Wiglaf the last of all our far flung family? 46. What is Beowulf s last request?

6 47. What Christian figure would be described as Beowulf in lines ? 48. Define Loathsom: Solace: Massive: Purge: Reparation: Writhing: