Summer Reading 2013
Regular English 12
Summer Reading Study Guide:
Beowulf
The Summer Reading program, sponsored by the English Department at Padua Franciscan High School, is
designed to entice students to read and recognize notable contemporary literature. We wish to engage student
interest, encourage critical thinking, and challenge our students as readers. As such, some titles on the list may
contain sensitive material and deal with more mature themes than some students may have encountered
previously. The target audience of all the selected literature is young adults. Students are encouraged to find
more information about all of the novels through the local library or through amazon.com. Additionally, the
English Department strongly encourages students and parents/guardians to discuss the content, themes, and
overall inherent literary value of the selected novels. Happy Reading!
General Note: These reading questions are meant only as a guide to the novel. These will not be collected or
graded. Your grade on the novel will be based on an objective test and a follow-up essay that will be given
within the first week of school. For your own benefit, it is highly suggested that you also keep a list of major
plot happenings, characters, settings, etc. per chapter. We look forward to seeing you in August!!!
1. Beowulf is the oldest known English epic. What is an epic and what are the characteristics of an epic?
How many of those characteristics are found in Beowulf?
2. As the poem begins, what qualities of a good king emerge?
3. List all the kings of the Danes from Shild to Hrothgar. What kind of kings were all these men?
4. How did Shild get to Denmark and how did he become the first king?
5. What are the signs of Hrothgar’s greatness? What does the hall Herot represent? How does Hrothgar
treat his thanes? What is a thane?
6. What are the first traits attributed to Grendel? When Grendel is introduced, what is the point of the
Creation story? How is Grendel linked to Adam and Eve’s children?
7. How long has Herot been closed due to Grendel attacks?
8. Characterize Grendel’s attitude toward violence. What are Grendel’s motives?
9. What character traits of a king or warrior were admired by the Danes (also Anglo-Saxons). Which of
these traits does Beowulf possess?
10. What are Beowulf’s motives for sailing from Geatland to Denmark? Describe the voyage. What does
Beowulf’s to the coast guard’s challenge tell us about him? Why does the coast guard trust Beowulf?
How many men come with Beowulf?
11. According to Wulfgar, Beowulf deserves and interview with Hrothgar. Why?
12. What is Beowulf’s way of assuring credibility in Hrothgar’s eyes? Why does Beowulf pledge to fight
Grendel without weapons? What is his attitude towards the challenge? What does he mean by Fate?
13. Unferth’s taunt serves what purpose? How does it contrast with Hrothgar’s welcome? What is the
point of Beowulf’s long response? How does he finally silence Unferth? Is boasting heroic? What does
Beowulf show to be the source of his heroism? What is the connection between Beowulf’s father,
Edgetho, and Hrothgar?
Summer Reading 2013
Regular English 12
14. Is Beowulf’s refusal to use weapons with Grendel simply being boastful? Heroic? How does he defeat
Grendel and what happens to Grendel?
15. The battle ends quickly with Beowulf securing a trophy. What is it and what does he do with it? Does
anyone die in this encounter? Are his men’s weapons useful?
16. How does the Lay of Sigmund compliment Beowulf’s achievement? And Hrothgar’s reactions?
17. How is Beowulf rewarded for his heroism?
18. The scop, the professional poet/tribe historian and musician, was vital to a tribe and also to the heroic
tradition. Two things sought by warriors were fame and a heroic death. How would the scop be an
important part of these goals? And since they did not believe in the eternal life of Heaven, in this
pagan time, how would the scop give them a kind of immortality?
19. How does the Finnsburg Lay add to Beowulf’s triumph and the idea of heroism? How is the concern
for the past and future generations woven into the idea of heroism?
20. Does Hrothgar blame Beowulf for the savage death of AEscher? He recounts that Grendel’s mother
avenged her kin. Is this justice? New outrage? What were her motives for entering Herot and killing?
21. What are the characteristics of Grendel’s and his mother’s dwelling? What are Beowulf’s motives for
going after Grendel’s mother? Is avenging a friend’s violent death heroic? Is slaying a sea monster
heroic? Would these things give a warrior fame and also immortality through a scop should he die?
22. What dos Beowulf’s armor tell you about his character? How is the battle with Grendel’s mother
different from Beowulf’s battle with Grendel? Who wins and what are the trophies of this battle that
he brings back to Hrothgar? How does it prove that Grendel’s mother is dead?
23. According to Hrothgar in his farewell to Beowulf, what is the basis for peace in society, and what does
he warn Beowulf against if he is to be king of his people?
24. Upon his return home, Beowulf recounts his adventures. Which event does he stress and why?
25. After turning down the throne once, Beowulf becomes king. How long is his reign before the dragon
strikes terror into the countryside? Who awakens the dragon and what does he do and why?
26. How is the dragon’s vengeance commensurate with the thief’s crime? Compare the motives behind
the two activities.
27. How does Beowulf act when he hears about the dragon’s vengeance? Compare the Beowulf in old age
to Hrothgar when Beowulf went to Denmark as a young warrior.
28. Since Beowulf is accustomed to leading an army into battle, why doesn’t he lead one against the
dragon?
29. Who is Wiglaf and what role does he play in this final battle? Who dies in this battle?
30. Beowulf begins and ends with a funeral. What point is the author trying to make about the role of
death in the lives of these warriors? Describe Beowulf’s funeral and any similarities to Christ’s death.
31. What happened to the dragon’s treasure? What is built to represent Beowulf’s greatness?
32. Who becomes the new king, and what is the future for this country under his reign?