Name:
Date:
Choice Board
“The Monster’s Lair,” (pg. 51) and “Battle with Grendel’s
Mother, (pg. 52-55)”
Directions: You must complete FOUR assignments for the above‐mentioned sections from the
epic poem “Beowulf”. Choose one assignment from each column, and one from each topic.
Circle your choices on this sheet and turn it in with your finished work.
Grendel’s
Mother
Anglo‐Saxon
values
Beowulf
Fact‐Based
Why does
Grendel’s
mother attack
Herot? What
does she take
with her? Based
on the text, what
are we led to
believe is her
motivation?
What does
Beowulf ask of
Hrothgar should
he not return?
What does this
illustrate about
Anglo-Saxon
values?
What two things
does Beowulf
present to
Hrothgar? Why
are these
significant?
Interpretive
Based on the
description of
Grendel’s
mother, does
she seem
more human
or monster?
Explain.
Beyond
Name three other
female “monsters”
from pop‐culture.
What do these
monsters show us
about our culture?
Creative
Draw a picture of the
lair where Grendel’s
mother lives. Use
details!
Why does
Beowulf jump
into the lake
without
hesitation?
What do you
think motivates
him to act
alone, without
the help of any
of his men?
The Anglo-Saxons
believed their
weapons/armor were
able to gain honor and
glory in battle much as
those who fought did
(think of how they
named their swords).
What contemporary
material things do
humans value in this
same way?
Instead of violence,
imagine that the
Anglo‐Saxons valued
diplomacy. Compose a
dialogue between
Beowulf and
Grendel’s mother that
resolves their hatred
peacefully.
Why does
Beowulf take
the head of
Grendel,
instead of
Grendel’s
mother, back to
Herot?
What is Beowulf
fighting for? Is he
fighting for “good”
reasons? Explain.
Draw an outline of
Beowulf’s head. Get
“into” his thoughts
and imagine what is
running through his
mind when he seeks
out and battles with
Grendel’s mom. Use
words and images.