Beowulf
Name____________________
As we read the poem, pay attention to sequencing. Use this guide to summarize and answer
questions.
“GRENDEL ATTACKS THE DANES”
VOCABULARY:
forged
lair
lament
reparation
spawned
QUESTIONS:
Please answer in complete sentences!
(LINES 1-29)
1. Grendel, who is actually sleeping, lives in darkness. What is bothering him and why?
2. Describe what was happening in the Hall and why.
3. Explain Grendel’s existence AND describe his character.
(LINES 30-80)
4. What were the men doing and why?
5. What did Grendel do?
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6. Why was Hrothgar lamenting? What was his fear?
7. What happened that evening? Explain. Who survived?
8. How long did Grendel rule?
9. What did the Danes try to do?
IDENTIFICATIONS:
Hrothgar
Herot
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“THE COMING OF BEOWULF”
VOCABULARY:
prow
shroud
QUESTIONS:
Please answer in complete sentences!
(LINES 85-154)
1. Provide your first impression of Beowulf (Higlac’s follower).
2. What was his response to Grendel and why?
3. Was he supported by the “wise ones”? Why or why not?
4. Relate Beowulf’s plan.
5. Briefly explain how Beowulf and his men were greeted.
(LINES 154-181)
6. Who was Edgetho?
7. How does Beowulf explain his reason for the trip?
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(LINES 182-268)
8. What is the officer’s response? How does he help them?
9. When the men reach Herot, what does Beowulf tell Hrothgar?
10. What are Beowulf’s credentials as a warrior?
11. What does Beowulf request if he is killed?
IDENTIFICATIONS:
deep-keeled ship
Geats
mail shirts
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“THE BATTLE WITH GRENDEL”
VOCABULARY:
infamous
QUESTIONS:
Please answer in complete sentences!
(LINES 269-420)
1. Describe what Grendel did when he returned to Herot.
2. What was Grendel’s first reaction (thought) when Beowulf grabbed him?
3. Briefly explain the battle between Grendel and Beowulf (begin with line 321).
4. What did Grendel realize toward the end of their fight?
5. What did Beowulf do to Grendel toward the end of their battle?
6. What eventually happened to Grendel?
7. What was Beowulf’s “victory of proof”?
8. Explain what happened the morning after Beowulf’s triumph.
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9. After rejoicing, what were the people’s thoughts about Beowulf?
“THE BATTLE WITH GRENDEL’S MOTHER”
VOCABULARY:
scabbard
QUESTIONS:
Please answer in complete sentences!
(LINES 421-484)
1. After Grendel’s mother retrieves her son’s arm, Beowulf dove into the lake to confront
her. Explain what happened during the subsequent battle. Where did she take him?
2. Explain what happened when Hrunting failed him.
(LINES 485-579)
3. How did Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother?
4. Explain what happened after Beowulf killed Grendel’s mother.
5. What did Hrothgar and the warriors think while standing by the lake?
6. Explain what happened next. (Include Beowulf’s trophy.)
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IDENTIFICATION:
Hrunting
“THE BATTLE WITH THE DRAGON”
QUESTIONS:
Please answer in complete sentences!
(LINES 580-691)
1. For how long has Beowulf been king?
2. How was the dragon awakened?
3. What made the dragon angry?
4. What was stored in the tower?
5. Reread lines 665-667. What is ironic about this sequence of events?
6. What happened after the dragon tracked the thief?
(LINES 692-824)
7. What did the Geats say to Beowulf?
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8. Reread lines 707-711. What does this passage reveal about Beowulf as a ruler of his
people?
9. Explain Beowulf’s plan for revenge.
10. Explain Beowulf’s thoughts about fighting the dragon.
11. Compare Beowulf’s impending fight with the dragon and his fight with Grendel years
before.
12. Beowulf hunts the dragon. Summarize their battle.
13. What does Beowulf realize in lines 796-798?
(LINES 825-974)
14. The only warrior to help Beowulf was Wiglaf. What were his thoughts about Beowulf?
15. Reread lines 856-861. What does this reveal about the relationship between Beowulf
and Wiglaf?
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16. What were Wiglaf’s comments about Beowulf before he faced the dragon?
17. Explain the fight between the dragon and Beowulf and Wiglaf. How did Wiglaf show his
courage? What happened to the dragon?
18. What happened to Beowulf? What does he tell Wiglaf to do and why?
(LINES 975-1090)
19. What did Wiglaf do when he went to the tower?
20. What were Beowulf’s last words/thoughts to Wiglaf?
21. Why does Beowulf plan the tower so carefully?
22. What does Beowulf give Wiglaf?
23. Knowing the dragon and Beowulf were dead, what did his followers do?
24. Summarize what Wiglaf told them.
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IDENTIFICATION:
Nagling
“THE FUNERAL FIRE”
QUESTIONS:
Please answer in complete sentences!
(1091-1136)
1. What did they do with Beowulf’s body?
2. What does the hero’s death mean to his people?
3. After they built the tower, what did the bravest Geats do?
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