Beowulf Reading Guide Questions, pp. 62-70
Beowulf’s Last Battle (pp. 62-65)
1. When does Beowulf become King of the Geats and for how long does he reign in peace?
2.
What prompts the fire-breathing dragon to terrorize the Geats?
3.
What does line 609 reveal about the top priority of a warrior?
4.
Why doesn’t Beowulf feel shame in fighting the fire-breathing dragon with weapons?
5.
State the alliteration in line 625.
6.
What is Beowulf’s “mind set” or “attitude” as he approaches the fire-breathing dragon?
7.
What will be Beowulf’s reward for putting an end to the fire-breathing dragon?
8.
What are the conditions as Beowulf approaches the entrance?
9.
How does Beowulf approach the fire-breathing dragon?
10. What happens to Beowulf’s shield?
11. How is this battle different from any of Beowulf’s previous battles?
12. Does this affect Beowulf? Explain.
13. What additional action occurs that indicates fate is against Beowulf?
14. State the kenning on line 678.
15. On line 686, what metaphor indicates the eternal perspective of life?
16. Why is Beowulf described on line 691 as a “beaten warrior”?
17. Who remains behind and why?
18. Of what had the men boasted? (lines 709-713)
19. What previous relationship existed between these men and Beowulf?
20. How is Wiglaf trying to motivate the men to help Beowulf?
21. Define the word connotation. What is the connotation of slain? What is the connotation of butchered?
The Death of Beowulf (pp. 66-69)
22. How is the fire-breathing dragon defeated?
23. What happens to Beowulf in the battle against the fire-breathing dragon?
24. What is the meaning of the line “…he’d unwound/His string of days on earth” (lines 737-738)? What
literary element or device is used in these lines?
25. What evidence does Beowulf provide characterizing his rule as king?
26. Why does Beowulf command Wiglaf to get the fire-breathing dragon’s treasure?
27. What theme is indicated or suggested in lines 768-778?
28. What treasures does Wiglaf bring back from the fire-breathing dragon’s trove?
29. What Christian elements are present in Beowulf’s dying words?
30. Whom does Beowulf want to rule his kingdom?
31. What are Beowulf’s dying requests?
32. What is given to Wiglaf to indicate the passing of Beowulf’s legacy?
33. State the alliteration in lines 824-825.
34. How did Beowulf’s men, who had betrayed him, react to his death?
35. What Christian references are made concerning Beowulf’s departure from this world?
36. As he addresses the men, how does Wiglaf feel about them?
37. What are the consequences for the men who did not support Beowulf in his final battle?
38. How will their lives be “branded”?
39. What are the final appropriate kennings describing Beowulf?
40. Why is Beowulf’s death described as “glorious”?
Mourning Beowulf (p. 70)
41. Along with Beowulf’s ashes, what else was left at the tower the Geats built to honor Beowulf?
42. What responsibility was given to twelve of the bravest Geats?
Beowulf Character Chart continued
Character
Description
Wiglaf
Beowulf Vocabulary Strategy:
The Anglo-Saxon Suffix –some
Many English words with Anglo-Saxon word parts were born whole into Old English, changing slightly
over time. Others developed from the combination of Old English word parts during the time when
people spoke Middle English. The adjective-forming suffix –some, which means “like” or “tending to
cause,” appears in both types of words. In Old English, -sum occurred in the word wynsum (today’s
winsome). Later, the Middle English word loth (“to feel disgust”) combined with the Old English –sum to
make lothsum: “tending to cause disgust.” Though the spelling has changed over time, loathsome has the
same meaning today.
Directions: Use an adjective ending in the suffix –some to describe each person, place, or thing listed.
Form the adjective by adding –some to a word shown in the equation.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a load of books to carry
a city skyline sparking in the sun
a person who always argues
a smile that charms people
a cockroach
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
awe
burden
loathe
quarrel
win
+ -some
Beowulf Vocabulary in Context
Directions: Using the margin notes in the textbook, complete the chart. Then, use the vocabulary words
to complete each sentence.
Vocabulary
Word
affliction
Part
of Speech
noun
gorge
verb
infamous
adjective
lair
noun
livid
adjective
loathsome
adjective
purge
verb
talon
noun
Definition
1.
The long-suffering Danes prayed that someone could kill the monster that was their _______________.
2.
The hungry monster attacked the warriors, eager to _______________ himself on their bodies.
3.
Everyone had heard of the _______________ Grendel. His evil deeds were well known.
4.
After seizing his prey, Grendel returned to his _______________ to devour it.
5.
The fierce hand-to-hand battle left Beowulf with a _______________ wound.
6.
The moor where Grendel lived was so _______________ that no human could stand to go near it.
7.
To help the Danes, Beowulf promised to _______________ the evil that was troubling them.
8.
The monster used his sharp _______________ to scratch and tear his victims.