Beowulf Discussion Questions Pages 25 52 Grendel Attacks

• Beowulf Discussion Questions (Pages 25 – 52)

Grendel Attacks the Danes Pages 24 - 26 • What does the conflict between the Danes and Grendel • • symbolize? By the time Hrothgar’s grief is told and sung, what events have occurred in the poem? Quote from page 25 – “No truce, accepting no settlement, no price in gold or land, and paying the living for one crime only with another. No one waited for reparation from his plundering claws…” What do you think the meaning is of this passage?

The Coming of Beowulf Pages 26 - 30 • What are your first impressions of Beowulf? Cite lines from • • the text to support your opinion? What is a Kenning? Find an example of a kenning on page 26. How do the watchman’s words help characterize Beowulf? What do you think is the meaning of lines 154 -155? According to Beowulf, what are Hrothgar’s options?

The Coming of Beowulf Pages 26 - 30 • What are Beowulf’s credentials as a warrior? Cite lines from • • the text to support your answer. Read lines 224 -226, paraphrase them. What is Beowulf saying in lines 229 -230? What is Beowulf saying in lines 238 -239? Paraphrase lines 253 -264. What does this tell us about Beowulf?

Beowulf Bell Work • Finish Questions for pages 2430.

The Battle With Grendel Pages 30 - 34 • What future event in the story do these lines foreshadow? • How does Beowulf differ from other warriors whom Grendel • • • has attacked? What motivates Beowulf in his time of need? Find a kenning on page 31. Paraphrase lines 307 -316. What are your reactions to this?

The Battle With Grendel Pages 30 - 34 • What events have occurred since Grendel entered Herot this • • • night? What heroic traits do Beowulf’s followers show? Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm in the rafters? What’s the tone of lines 396 -411?

Thee Battle With Grendel’s Mother Pages 34 - 37 • What are the italicized words at the top of page 34? • What might Beowulf’s journey to the she-wolf’s lair • • symbolize? What qualities of Beowulf does this passage reveal? What does this description imply about Beowulf’s strength? Why in lines 478 and 479 is a semi-colon used, but in lines 480 to 485 there is a series of commas? Paraphrase lines 480 -489.

Thee Battle With Grendel’s Mother Pages 34 - 37 • Irony is a discrepancy between expectation and reality. What is • • • ironic about the way Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother? Why does Beowulf behead Grendel? Why does the poet include this detail about the passage of time? What traits do Beowulf’s followers show here? What does this detail suggest about Beowulf’s conflict with the monsters? What is another piece of evidence of Beowulf’s enormous strength?

Beowulf Bell Work • Finish Questions for pages 3037.

The Battle With The Dragon Pages 38 - 48 • • What events precede the dragon’s attack? What’s going on in lines 611 -657? What does this passage suggest about Beowulf’s upcoming conflict with the dragon? How do the dragon’s motives differ from those of Grendel? What’s ironic about this sequence of events? What does this passage reveal about Beowulf as a ruler of his people? Find examples of foreshadowing on page 41.

The Battle With The Dragon Pages 38 - 48 • Is Beowulf being foolhardy or noble in deciding to fight alone? • • • Explain. How would you contrast Beowulf’s and Hrothgar’s responses to attack? What effect does this sequence of events create? What does this passage reveal about Beowulf? Why does the poet use “brave and noble” to describe Beowulf’s followers in lines 820 -825? How does this passage show a bond of kinship in Anglo-Saxon culture? What does this passage reveal about the relationship between a chief and his followers?

The Battle With The Dragon Pages 38 - 48 • What’s the figurative language in lines 909 -910 meant to • • • convey? How might Wiglaf’s actions affect the fight? What is ironic about Beowulf’s strength? Why does Beowulf believe that he has been a good king? Why does the treasure mean so much to Beowulf? Why does Beowulf plan the tower so carefully? Beowulf’s followers return to their leader after, not during the battle. What can you conclude about them? What might be their excuse?

The Battle With The Dragon Pages 38 - 48 • Why did the Anglo-Saxons regard cowardice as particularly • • shameful? Why do you think that is true? What are lines 1055 – 1059 describing? Read lines 1059 – 1090. Is there a modern theme to this? Do you agree or disagree?

The Funeral Fire Pages 49 - 50 • What does the hero’s death mean to his people?

Responding and Thinking Critically Page 51 • What are your final impressions of Beowulf? Explain. • -Describe where Grendel lives, and the nature of his origins. – • • What do the details about Grendel’s origins and dwelling place add to your impression of him? Does learning about Grendel’s fears and feelings during the battle affect your impression of the monster? How is that applicable in real life? Why does Beowulf believe he must fight the dragon? Does this also have any real life applications?

Responding and Thinking Critically Page 51 • For which character did you feel the most sympathy? What • strategies did the poet use to create sympathy for the character? From the description of Beowulf’s character, what traits do you think the Anglo-Saxons considered heroic? How are modern heroes similar or different?

Page 52 Questions • What are Beowulf’s major external conflicts in the story? • Which of Beowulf’s external conflicts seems the most • • challenging? Explain. In lines 707 -717, what internal conflict does Beowulf face? How does he resolve it? What does the poet suggest about Beowulf’s challenges by using the sequence of events in the story? How would you contrast Beowulf in youth with Beowulf in old age? Is there a relevant theme related to this?

Page 52 Questions • • Why might the poet show Beowulf fighting monsters but not other human beings? Analogies - hammer : forge : : chisel : _____ a. Paint b. sand c. sculpt - pain : writhing : : cold : _____ a. warming b. skiing c. shivering - criminal : infamous : : philanthropist : _____ a. reputable b. careful c. joyous - cheer : celebrate : : lament : ______ a. rejoice b. mourn c. criticize

Page 52 Questions • Analogies - pajamas : nap : : shroud : _____ a. burial b. wedding c. convalescence Academic Vocabulary - Concept – a general idea based on knowledge or experience. - Policy – a consistent plan of action. - What concept of fate influences Beowulf? What policy does Beowulf follow as king of the Geats?

Big Picture Class Discussion 1. Do you believe in fate? Why or why not? 2. What comparisons can you make between Beowulf’s society and ours? 3. Is Beowulf a hero? In modern terms, what is a hero and what qualities does a hero exhibit?

Big Picture Class Discussion 1. The video we watched talks about a theme in the story that basically states, “all things made by man eventually fall into ruin. ” Do you believe this is true? Defend your opinion. 2. Related to this idea, Beowulf’s people eventually face ruin and destruction. What do you think caused this? Is there any relationship to their fate and our world today? Explain your answer.