Beowulf Discussion Questions

● Prologue and Beowulf’s Arrival (Lines 1-701):

1. Who is Hrothgar? Describe his ancestors and how he came to be king.

2. Who is Grendel? What is the significance of Grendel being descended from Cain?

3. Describe Heorot before Grendel’s attacks. Describe Heorot after Grendel’s attacks.

4. Why does Grendel attack Heorot? What do we know that the characters do not? Be specific.

5. Who offers to help the Danes? How do his people react to his going?

6. Explain how Hrothgar knows Beowulf.

7. For what reasons does Beowulf volunteer to help Hrothgar?

8. Why does Unferth bring up Beowulf ’s swimming match with Brecca? What is Unferth’s version
of events? How does Beowulf respond?

9. Who is Welthow, and what is her role in Heorot? How would you describe women’s role in this
warrior society? Provide evidence to support your response.

10. What is the significance of Hrothgar’s speech?

11. What are Beowulf’s thoughts as he waits for Grendel?

● Grendel’s Battle with Beowulf (Lines 702-1250):

1. Why does Beowulf wait, allowing Grendel to kill one of the Geats, before he attacks Grendel?
2. Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. Be specific.
3. Why are Beowulf’s warriors unable to help him defeat Grendel?
4. How does Beowulf wound Grendel?
5. What does Beowulf keep as proof of his victory over Grendel?
6. Describe the story of Sigemund. What purpose does the comparison between Beowulf and
Sigemund serve? The comparison between Beowulf and Heremod?
7. Describe the atmosphere of Heorot the evening after the fight.
8. How does Beowulf respond to Hrothgar’s praises?
9. What does Hrothgar give Beowulf for his troubles?
 10. Summarize the saga of Finn and his sons. What purpose does this poem within the poem serve?
Why do you think it appears just before Welthow appears?
● Grendel’s Mother (Lines 1251-1798)

1. Why does Grendel’s mother attack Herot? Describe the attack.

2. What does she take with her when she leaves the mead hall?
3. Who was Aeschere? What happened to him?
4. What does Hrothgar ask Beowulf to do?
5. How does Beowulf respond to Hrothgar’s lament?
6. Describe the haunted mere where Grendel’s mother lives.
7. What does Unferth give to Beowulf? Why?
8. Summarize the battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother. How does Beowulf defeat her?
9. To what does Beowulf attribute his victory?
10. What two things does Beowulf present to Hrothgar?
11. What does Hrothgar warn Beowulf about in his speech?
12. Describe Beowulf’s departure. What is Hrothgar’s foreboding?

● Beowulf’s Return to Geatland (Lines 1799-2199):

1. Compare and contrast Queen Hygd with Queen Modthryth.
2. What does Beowulf foresee will happen as a result of Hrothgar’s daughter’s arranged marriage
to Ingeld?
3. What gifts does Beowulf present to Hygelac?
4. How does Hygelac reward Beowulf for the honor he’s bestowed on the Geats?
5. How does Beowulf’s reputation amongst his people change as a result of defeating Grendel and
his mother?
● The Dragon and Beowulf’s Death (Lines 2200-end);
1. Describe what happened to those who held the dragon’s treasure.
2. Who is responsible for stealing the goblet? Why?
3. How does the dragon react when it notices the goblet has been stolen?
4. What event is foreshadowed?
5. Why doesn’t Beowulf fear the wrath of the dragon?
6. Why does Beowulf refuse the crown offered him by Hyglac’s widow? When does Beowulf
become king? What does this reveal about his character?
7. Summarize Beowulf’s upbringing.
8. Summarize Beowulf ’s boast. Recall Hrothgar’s speech. How well has Beowulf followed
Hrothgar’s advice?
9. Why does Beowulf want to fight the dragon alone?
10. Describe the battle between Beowulf and the dragon.
11. What does Beowulf’s followers do when they realize Beowulf is losing the fight?
12. Who is Wiglaf? What does he do?
13. How is the dragon defeated?
14. How is Beowulf killed?
15. What are Beowulf’s final requests?
 16. What are Beowulf’s parting words? What does this reveal about the fate of his people’s future
and their values?
17. What does Wiglaf say to the rest of Beowulf’s followers?
18. Describe the mood by the end of the poem. Explain the fate of Beowulf’s country.
19. Explain how Beowulf’s perception of gold changes from the beginning to the end of the poem.
Provide evidence to support your response.
20. How might Beowulf’s decision to fight the dragon be morally ambiguous? In other words, how
might Beowulf have failed in his role as king by fighting the dragon?

The chart below lists seven values that are admired by Beowulf’s society. For each
value, find at least one quotation from the text to support each value’s presence in
the story.

Value Textual evidence

1. Materialism

2. Fairness

3. Boasting

4. Love of Glory

5. Courage/Bravery

6. Generosity
 7. Fate

Beowulf is an epic that has transcended hundreds of years. Many say that Beowulf
is still relevant because of its theme and overall focus on the dichotomies of the
world.

A dichotomy is made up of two opposite forces operating on the same spectrum.

In other words, it is two opposing forces that work against one another.

Examples: light & dark Non-Examples: apples & oranges

male & female boy & man
good & evil great & good
Beowulf & Grendel Beowulf & Cain

There are 6 key dichotomies that we are going to take a look at from Beowulf.
Using the dichotomies listed below, you must find quotations and examples from
Beowulf that relate to your dichotomy. Then, you must come up with a “critical
observation” about your assigned dichotomy. For your critical observation, think of it
like a thesis statement. It should state both what the text says about that dichotomy
and its purpose within the text.

Light vs Dark Good vs Evil Hero vs Criminal

Example form Beowulf Examples: Examples:

Critical observation C.O. C.0.

Pagan vs Christian Young vs Old Life vs Death
Example form Beowulf Examples: Examples:

Critical observation C.O. C.0.