Beowulf Page 19-42 Study Guide

Beowulf The Wrath of Grendel Questions p. 19-22 1. Before we even know the monster’s name, what information do we have about it? The monster is angry and writhing in pain. He lives in an underground lair. 2. What can we infer about Grendel’s relationship with society from what we know about him? Society shuns Grendel. They would have been terrified of him. 3. Who are Grendel’s parents? Demons that were descendants from the line of Cain (the first biblical murderer). 4. What biblical allusion is used on p. 20? The biblical allusion to Cain and Abel. 5. How does Grendel display his cowardice? He attacks at night when people least expect it. 6. How many men does Grendel kill during the first attack on Herot? 30 men 7. Who is Hrothgar? King of the Danes. 8. What is Herot? King Hrothgar’s mead hall with the golden roof. Grendel attacks Herot for 12 years. 9. How long does Grendel terrorize Herot? 12 winters (years) 10. Grendel is described by this line “ the monster’s thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws..” What does this tell us about Grendel? This tells us that the monster is smart and clever. His mind works quickly. 11. What does the poet mean when he says that “Hrothgar’s misery leaped the seas and was told…?” The stories were sung and eventually made their way across the sea to Geatland where Beowulf hears of King Hrothgar’s troubles with Grendel. 12. What object in Herot is Grendel forbidden to touch? Why? Grendel cannot touch the golden throne of Hrothgar. Because the throne is blessed by God. 13. What did Hrothgar and his council do that was contradictory to their new Christian beliefs? They made sacrifices to the old pagan gods. 14. The word stalked is used to describe what Grendel does to Herot and those who inhabit Hrothgar’s kingdom. What kind of connotation does stalked have in modern terms? To hunt or follow a person without their knowledge with evil intent. 15. Compare and contrast Grendel’s lair with Herot. Herot has a golden room. The inside is furnished with ebony wood and ivory. It is beautiful. Grendel lives in the bottom of a marshy lake that burns on fire at night. It is a desolate and miserable place. The Coming of Beowulf p.23-27 1. Who is Healfdane’s son? Hrothgar 2. Who is Higlac? He is the King of Geatland and Beowulf’s uncle. 3. What is a chainmail shirt? Why is it important to a warrior? A finely woven metal ring shirt that protects warriors from stabbing and slashing blades. 4. Where does Beowulf come from? What does he call himself? He says he comes from southern Sweden (Geatland). He calls himself a Geat. 5. How many men does he choose to go with him to Denmark? 14 Geats accompany Beowulf. 6. How do they make this journey? By boat 7. What does it mean when it says “the omens were good/?” They consulted the signs ( a Pagan ritual) to see if things should proceed. 8. Name three things that Beowulf tells King Hrothgar about his deeds. a. He rises from the darkness of battle dripping in his enemies blood b. He can swim for extended period of time andHe can hold his breath for hours c. He defeated giants, put them in chains and banished them from the earth. 9. Why can no weapons forged by man hurt or kill Grendel? They have bewitched the weapons of man 10. What request does Beowulf ask of King Hrothgar in regards to Grendel? Beowulf asks King Hrothgar to let him meet Grendel and fight him alone. Hrothgar agrees. 11. How will Beowulf fight Grendel? Beowulf’s takes a hold on Grendel’s arm. He does not let go and Grendel’s arm is twisted off and Grendel retreats bleeding back to lair and dies. 12. What does Beowulf say to do with his armor if he is defeated? Send his armor and chainmail shirt back home to Higlac. The Monster’s Lair p.30-31 1. What do the peasant’s say they have seen? They have seen two monsters. A smaller female and a large male. 2. What did they name the large one? They named him Grendel. 3. Where do they (the monsters) live (p. 30-31, lines 421-431)? They live in an underwater lair at the bottom of a lake that is frozen during the day. At night the lake is on fire with flames and smoke. 4. What will a stag do if being chased rather than cross the lake? The stag will lay down on the shores of the lake and be killed rather than cross the lake to the other side. Even the animals know the lake is cursed. 5. What does King Hrothgar offer Beowulf? He offers him treasures if he kills Grendel’s mother. The Battle with Grendel’s Mother p31-35 1. Who is Edgetho’s brave son (check footnote) p.31? Beowulf is Edgetho’s son. 2. Who is Unferth (check footnote) p.31? One of King Hrothgar’s warriors who questions Beowulf’s bravery before the battle. 3. Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother? It takes Beowulf a few hours to float to the bottom of the lake. Grendel’s mother calls to the monsters in the lake to help attack Beowulf, but his armor protects him. As soon as he surfaces in her underground lair, she begins a vicious and brutal attack. No weapons can harm her because she has bewitched the weapons of man. 4. What object helps Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? What is left of the object when Beowulf leaves the lair? Beowulf sees the magical sword of a giant hanging on the wall. Only the hilt of the sword is left. The evil blood of Grendel’s mother melts the blade. 5. What happens in the underwater lair after the death of Grendel’s mother (p.33 lines 541-543)? Beowulf searches the lair for Grendel’s body. 6. What does Beowulf do to Grendel’s body? Beowulf beheads Grendel and takes his head back to the mead hall to show King Hrothgar and his subjects. It is so large it takes 4 men to carry it. The Last Battle p.36-39 1. What foe does Beowulf fight in his last battle? A fire breathing dragon. 2. What happens to Beowulf’s sword during the battle? The fire the dragon spews out fire which weakens the sword and the sword breaks after he wounds the dragon. 3. What do Beowulf’s follower’s do during the fierce battle? They become frightened and flee leaving Beowulf and one other warrior. 4. Who remains by Beowulf’s side (p38, lines 712-714)? Wiglaf, Wexton’s son, remains by Beowulf’s side and helps him defeat the dragon. The Spoils and The Farewell p. 39-42 1. What does Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do? To get the treasure from the dragon. 2. What does Beowulf tell Wiglaf to do about his tomb (p.41, lines819-828). He tells him to build his tomb on a cliff by the sea. Build it high so that the sailors at sea can see the tomb. 3. What objects does Beowulf give Wiglaf to make to make him king (p.41 lines 829-832). Beowulf gives Wiglaf his gold necklace, rings,gold helmet and mail shirt and his blessing to be king. 4. How long does it take to build Beowulf’s tomb? 10 days 5. What do they put inside the tomb? They put Beowulf’s ashes and the treasure from the dragon in the tomb. 6. How many riders circles the tomb singing Beowulf’s praises? 12 Riders 7. Did you like this epic poem? Why or why not? This question was your own personal opinion.