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“from Beowulf” by The Beowulf Poet
Read the selection from the epic poem Beowulf by The Beowulf Poet. Then, reread the lines indicated with each question below. Answer each question, citing text evidence. 1. Lines 1–29: What contrast is developed between Herot, home of the Danes, and Grendel’s home? How do the biblical allusions extend this contrast? What do the hall and Grendel represent, based on their descriptions here?
2. Lines 33–37: What sound is alliterated throughout these lines? How does this sound create an image of the action?
3. Lines 74–78: What does the kenning “shadow of death” contribute to the characterization of Grendel?
4. Lines 116–129: Explain why “none of the wise ones regretted his going.”
5. Lines 127–133: Why does Wulfgar request that the Geats leave their weapons outside the hall?
6. Lines 134–159: Explain what Beowulf, seen in “the silvery metal of his mail shirt/Gleaming with a smith’s high art,” represents to the Danes. Examine what Beowulf says to Hrothgar about himself and his past deeds. Why does he appear to boast about his accomplishments?
7. Lines 233–240: Note the punctuation that indicates the caesura in some of these lines. How does the rhythm created by those pauses reinforce the action described?
8. Lines 233–261: What details reinforce the idea of Grendel as a force of evil? How does this view of Grendel increase suspense? What foreshadowing is in this passage? Why does the poet include it?
9. Lines 262–272: Why does Beowulf allow one of his followers to be taken by Grendel before he attacks him?
10. Lines 290–305: What do the setting details in this passage reveal about Anglo-Saxon civilization?
11. Lines 332–359: What evidence supports the idea that the fight between Grendel and Beowulf is symbolic of the struggle between good and evil? How does the symbolism of Beowulf’s gesture in lines 356–359 reveal a theme resulting from this conflict?
12. Lines 370–375: How do the alliteration and imagery affect the impact of this part of the poem?
13. Lines 376–380: How does this passage relate to the Anglo-Saxon view of immortality?
14. Lines 387–397: How does this scene reflect the techniques used by Anglo-Saxon poets?
15. Lines 400–424: What details and techniques does the poet use to convey the brutality of Grendel’s mother’s attack?
16. Lines 425–445: What descriptive images link Grendel’s mother’s home to the concepts of death and darkness? What does this lake symbolize?
17. Lines 485–523: How does this battle differ from Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel? What is the significance of the similarity between the two battles?
18. Lines 526–545: What images of light are in this passage? How are they connected with Beowulf’s victory? What does Beowulf cutting off Grendel’s head symbolize?
19. Lines 546–568: What do these lines reveal about Anglo-Saxon values? 20. Lines 574–578: Explain the transformation of the lake. What has Beowulf metaphorically restored?
21. Lines 587–605: What details in these final lines reinforce the idea that Beowulf is superior to all others?
Hero’s Traits Reader’s Log As you read the text, keep a list of the hero’s traits you find while reading, using the form below Hero’s Trait Do we How do we learn about this Supporting Details or Page consider it traits? (description, action, Numbers from the Text heroic? dialogue, comparison to other characters, reputation, etc.)
Beowulf Questions *These go in your notebook under tab 2: classwork