Beowulf
Part 4
Page 52–60
Beowulf’s Last Battle
& Mourning Beowulf
Name______
1. What is foreshadowed in lines 612 beginning with the word ‘Then’ and ending with ‘time’?
2. The poet decides to have the dragon start the fight rather than Beowulf? Why do you think the author
made this choice?
3. In lines 665 – 686, Beowulf realizes he is no longer protected, yet he decides to go on fighting. What
does this tell us about the moral values of this society? (what did they value?) Who were they fighting
for?
4. Contrast the actions of the Geats in lines 691 – 696 to their actions in lines 556 – 561. What does this
contrast tell us has happened in the Geat’s society concerning comitatus?
5. What 5 reasons does Wiglaf give for feeling obligated to stay and help Beowulf with the dragon?
6. When Wiglaf enters the cave, the poet describes “rusty old helmets, beautifully made but rotting with
on hands to rub and polish them”. What do these lines infer or lead us to believe?
7. Why did the poet take time to mention the old helmets among the other precious items?
8. In lines 805 – 810 Beowulf says he sold his life well. Use specific evidence from the poem to either
agree or disagree with this statement. Use formal register, a topic sentence and at least three more
sentences.
9. How does Beowulf see himself serving his people even after he is dead? L. 812 – 819
10. Explain how comitatus is represented in Wiglaf’s speech to the cowards.
11. What happens to the treasure taken from the dragon’s cave?
12. What to the 12 bravest Geats parallel from the Bible?