Name: ________________________
Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 1
BEOWULF
STUDY GUIDE
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Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 2
WHAT IS AN EPIC?
WHAT ARE THE FOUR PARTS OF AN EPIC
ABOUT BEOWULF:
DO WE KNOW WHO THE AUTHOR IS?
WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME OF THE STORY?
WHAT LANGUAGE WAS IT WRITTEN IN?
IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONOLD ENGLISHMIDDLE ENGLISHMODERN ENGLISHEXAMPLES OF MODERN EPICSCAN YOU THINK OF ANY FURTHER EXAMPLES?.........
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Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 3
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Beowulf is a reflection of the Germanic heroic code. This code, or system of beliefs, lays out the rules of
conduct for a good man, warrior, and king. The rules involve different specific behaviors for the different
classes of people who lived at the time. For example, warriors were expected to show strength, courage,
and loyalty; kings, however, must exhibit political wisdom, along with gracious hospitality and
generosity. As we read, you may notice that the actions of the characters in Beowulf either meet this code
or go against it. What you will learn as you read the poem, however, is that this code is not only
contradictory, but also oftentimes useless.
Also, as we read, please remember that England was slowly changing from a pagan to a Christian culture.
This poem, then, reflects both pagan and Christian influences. The Anglo-Saxons were largely pagan
peoples who occupied England and surrounding territories after the Romans left. Ask yourself: what does
the story of Grendel’s origins suggest about the beliefs of Anglo-Saxon culture?
Section I: The Wrath of Grendel
1. Where is the action taking place? What time of day is it?
2. What is happening, and how does the “monster” react? What is his name?
3. Who is Hrothgar?
4. Describe the circumstances of the monster’s birth/origins….
5. What happens in lines 34-40?
6. What action is repeated, beginning in line 49?
7. What happens to Herot? What does “twelve winters of grief” refer to?
Name: ________________________
Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 4
8. Where/who does Hrothgar rule/over?
9. What literary technique is present in line 79?
10. What does the monster continue to do? Where does he live? What is he scared to do?
11. Whose “heart” is “bent” and why?
12. What lines point to pagan rituals? Why are they mentioned?
SECTION 2: THE COMING OF BEOWULF
1. Who is Healfdane’s son?
2. Who is described as “Higlac’s follower”? Who is Higlac?
3. Who is described as “greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world”? What does he
decide to do?
4. Based on lines 110-124, how does Beowulf meet the definition of “epic hero”?
Name: ________________________
Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 5
5. What qualities does it seem like Anglo-Saxons admired in their leaders?
6. What is significant about the number 14 in this section?
7. What literary technique is present in line 133?
8. Why is the watchman concerned about Beowulf’s arrival?
9. Who is Edgetho and why does Beowulf mention him?
10. Who is Higlac?
11. “My hands alone shall fight for me.” (line 267,8)- What does this mean?
12. What does Beowulf state about “Fate”? What does it have to do with Grendel?
Name: ________________________
Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 6
SECTION 3: THE BATTLE WITH GRENDEL
1. What words add to the dark imagery of the opening lines?
2. What does Grendel notice about Herot?
3. What literary technique is present in line 325? Who does it refer to?
4. What does Beowulf do to Grendel?
5. What literary technique is present in line 363? To whom does it refer?
6. How does this battle seem real? What details add to the realism?
7. What is now hanging from the “rafters” of Herot? (YIKES!)
SECTION 4:THE MONSTERS’ LAIR
8. What has Grendel’s mother done and why?
Name: ________________________
Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 7
9. Who is the speaker at the beginning of this section?
10. What does he ask of Beowulf? What will be his reward?
SECTION 5: THE BATTLE WITH GRENDEL’S MOTHER
11. Who is speaking, and what does he ask the king to do for him if he does not return from battle
alive?
12. Who is Unferth?
13. Who is Hrunting? (why might this object have been given a name?)
14. Who is the “greedy she-wolf”?
15. What has Beowulf “longed” for?
16. What “wins” this battle? How?
Name: ________________________
Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 8
17. Whose corpse does Beowulf find? What does he do to it and why?
18. What literary technique is used in line 619? What does it mean?
19. How is Beowulf received by his people?
SECTION 6: THE LAST BATTLE
1. Who honor is bestowed upon Beowulf? For how long?
2. What does he want to do in his old age and why?
3. What makes his use of a weapon interesting? How does this compare to his battle with Grendel?
4. How do we know that this battle is going to be different from others? (lines 685,6)
5. Do Beowulf’s followers help him? Why or why not?
6. Who is Wiglaf?
Name: ________________________
Beowulf Chapter Notes pg 9
7. Who is Wextan?
8. Is Wiglaf loyal or disloyal? How so?
SECTION 7: THE SPOILS
1. What are Beowulf’s last requests of Wiglaf?
2. How does Beowulf feel about death?
3. What is significant about line 836?
SECTION 8: THE FAREWELL
1. What does Wiglaf do to the disloyal soldiers of Beowulf?
2. How would you describe Beowulf’s legacy? How is he remembered? Why?