Diane LeeFebruary 08, 2011

Beowulf Discussion Questions

1) Describe Heorot. A huge mead hall that King Hrothgar built to show off his wealth. It is made of gold and is very luxurious.

2) Describe Grendel’s lair in comparison to Heorot. Grendel’s lair- Dark, underwater, unpleasant, negative Heorot- Bright, friendly, luxurious, positive

3) What is the significance of Grendel being descended from Cain? Grendel and Cain are both evil. Cain, a well-known biblical figure, was the first murderer in the

history.

4) Why does Grendel attack Heorot? He was envious of the fellowship and merriness in Heorot His evilness made him directly opposed to good. Sadness, isolation and envy. People were too festive and made too much noise.

o They played biblical music. Therefore, Grendel, a fiend, was even more enraged.

5) How does Hrothgar’s lieutenant recognize Beowulf as a hero? Beowulf wore his suit, Lieutenant already saw him as a brave hero.

6) Why does Unferth bring up Beowulf’s swimming match with Brecca? How does Beowulf respond? He brings it up to show that Beowulf isn't so mighty and perfect. His inferior complex made him to

bring up the swimming match story. Beowulf responds saying how he had to fight off sea monsters as well as swimming.

7) What is Wealhtheow’s role in Heorot? What does the narrator praise her for? Wealhtheow is calm, religious, elegant, and welcoming. The narrator praises her for her hospitality

and calm personality.

8) What are Beowulf’s thoughts as he waits for Grendel to arrive? While Beowulf awaits Grendel's arrival at the hall he spoke that he would use no weapons against

Grendel so that they could have an even fight. He then rested until Grendel arrived. Beowulf also asks God for help and guidance when he fights Grendel.

9) Why does Beowulf wait, allowing Grendel to kill one of the Geats, before he attacks Grendel? Beowulf waits and allows Grendel to kill one of the Geats before the attack, because Beowulf

wanted to see how Grendel fights and let Grendel be unexpected of his attack.

10) Why can’t the other warriors come to Beowulf’s aid? Other warriors cannot come to Beowulf’s aid because Beowulf does not let them. Beowulf doesn’t

allow them because he wants to have a “one-on-one” fight. Also, their weapons shatter as they touch

Grendel. Since no weapons can harm Grendel, Beowulf must fight Grendel bare-handed, and the other warriors are unable to come to Beowulf's aid.

11) How does Beowulf wound Grendel? Beowulf yanks Grendel’s arm behind his own back and rips the arm off. Tendons rip and the scene

is very grotesque.

12) Why is the story of Finn included just before Wealhtheow appear? What do lines 1163-1167 imply will happen?

Author wanted to compare Wealtheow. The lines foreshadow that Finn’s story will repeat again in the future.

13) Describe the scene at Heorot as everyone goes to bed in (Part 18). As everyone goes to bed, they are festive and relived that Grendel is dead and that they have nothing

to fear.

14) Why does Grendel’s mother attack Heorot? What does she take with her? Grendel’s mother attacks Heorot to have revenge for Grendel. She takes Aeschere, Hrothgar’s right

hand man, and Grendel’s arm with her.

15) Describe the lake. It is infested with lizards. One cannot see the bottom of the lake. It is magical. Animals in the forest

do not go near the lake. It is boiling as well.

16) What does Unferth give to Beowulf? Why? Unferth gives Beowulf a sword that never failed in a battle. He was being selfish. By giving his

sword to Beowulf, he wanted to be “recognized” that he took a part in the fight. The name of the sword is Hrunting.

17) Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother. They fight underwater but in some kind of cave. Beowulf kills her with the Giant Magical sword

which appeared all of a sudden. Beowulf’s shield melts. Beowulf beheads her but not entirely.

18) How does Beowulf defeat her? He beheads her with the Giant Magical sword. Beowulf thinks God sent the sword to protect him.

19) What does Beowulf do before he swims back to land? What do Hrothgar and the other warriors think has happened?

Beowulf takes Grendel’s head before he swims back to land. They all assume that Beowulf is dead because they saw blood on the surface of the lake. However, Beowulf’s warriors wait for Beowulf while Hrothgar leaves.

20) To what does Beowulf attribute his victory? Why? God, because Beowulf is religious.

21) What two things does Beowulf present to Hrothgar? Beowulf gives Grendel’s head and the handle of the Giant Magical sword to Hrothgar.

22) What does Hrothgar warn Beowulf about in his speech? Hrothgar warns Beowulf that he cannot boast too much.

23) What social roles do women appear to have in the world of Beowulf? What does Beowulf think about this (reference lines 2028-2030)?

Women are only significant when they marry a man to tie up two families to form some kind of an alliance. Beowulf thinks that it will not last.

24) Describe how Beowulf becomes King of the Geats. King of Geats dies and the queen asks Beowulf to be the king of Geats. However, Beowulf refuses.

Therefore, the eldest son becomes the king. The son dies; therefore, Beowulf ends up taking the throne.

25) How does the dragon react when it notices its cup has been stolen? Dragon becomes enraged, and it destroys everything in his sight.

26) What event is foreshadowed in lines 2341-2345? Beowulf’s death is foreshadowed.

27) Why doesn’t Beowulf fear the dragon? He gained confidence from fighting off Grendel and Grendel’s mother in the past.

28) What does Beowulf boast in lines 2511-2515 say about his character? Recall Hrothgar’s speech (lines 1709-1768). How well has Beowulf followed Hrothgar’s advice?

Beowulf boasts of his earlier days when he fought Grendel without any weapons. Beowulf may be powerful but not the most humble character in the poem. Hrothgar warned him not to boast so much, but Beowulf did not heed his advice.

29) Why does Beowulf want to fight the dragon alone? Beowulf thinks he can still fight off a dragon by himself despite his age. He is a bit selfish that he

wants to fight alone and to give credits to himself only. As an epic hero, he does not want anyone to be in danger but him.

30) When does Beowulf realize he’s losing the battle with the dragon? What does he do? Beowulf realizes that he’s losing the battle with the dragon when he felt that he was not strong as he

used to be.

31) What do Beowulf’s followers do when they realize he’s losing? What does Wiglaf do? None of them were brave enough to aid Beowulf besides Wiglaf. He joins Beowulf and stabs the

dragon.

32) How is the dragon killed? First, Wiglaf stabs it in the stomach. Second, Beowulf pulls out a knife and stabs the dragon again. Finally, the dragon dies after Beowulf’s stab.

33) What request does Beowulf make at the end of the battle with the dragon? He sends Wiglaf to inspect the dragon’s treasure and bring him a portion of it, saying that death will

be easier if he sees the hoard that he has liberated.

34) How is Beowulf killed? The dragon bites Beowulf in the neck. Dragon’s bite was venomous and Beowulf was poisoned.

35) Summarize Beowulf’s last words to Wiglaf. Bring him wyrd so death can be relaxing. Burn him on a pyre. Wiglaf has to take care of Geats

36) What does Wiglaf say to the rest of Beowulf’s followers? Wiglaf rebukes Beowulf’s followers for their cowardice. He tells them how Geats is no longer safe

now that Beowulf, ultimate protector of the country, is dead.