“Beowulf’s Last Battle” Chapter Questions

Directions: Read “Beowulf’s Last Battle” (The Dragon Awakes lines 2200-2509 and Beowulf Attacks the Dragon lines 2510-2820) and
answer the questions below. You might need to review the notes you took on your WebQuest in order to answer some of the questions.

Question Answer

1. After Beowulf goes home to the land of the Geats (what King of the Geats
we now know as Sweden), what does he become?

2. Who dies in order to make Beowulf King of the Geats? Hygelac

3. How long does Beowulf rule the Geats? 50 winters/years

4. About how old is Beowulf at this point in the story? (Hint: Around the age of 70
Beowulf was probably in his early 20s when he fought
Grendel)

5. What challenge does Beowulf agree to take on? The Dragon

6. What upsets the dragon? His slumber is interrupted and he was stolen from.

7. What is a boast? (Hint: Google it) Talk with excessive pride that a warrior will use to gain praise for
their accomplishments.

8. How does the first line of the chapter exhibit “ A lot was to happen in the later day” We can infer that drastic
foreshadowing? changes would come based on this line.

9. What other quotes show foreshadowing of Beowulf’s “He grew old and wise until one began to dominate the dark.”
wyrd?

10. Why does Beowulf say he will battle with the dragon? He wants to prove that he is still as strong as was in his youthful
days.

11. What 3 things does Beowulf say he will need in his battle Men, a shield, and his sword.
against the dragon?

12. Why does he say he cannot fight the dragon with his bare It is a fire-breathing dragon.
hands like he did with Grendel?

13. What does Beowulf say “will be [his]” if he wins the battle? Glory and Fame
14. When Beowulf walks into the dragon’s lair, what does the It attacks him.
dragon do?

15. How does this show Beowulf is an epic hero? He does not run from the dragon, he faces it like the warrior he
was always known as.

16. What does Beowulf hold in front of him to block the His shield
dragon’s fire?

17. After a few minutes, what happened to his iron shield? It’s melted

18. How many battles has Beowulf lost up until this point? None

19. What happens when Beowulf stabs the dragon? His sword snaps

20. What is the name of Beowulf’s father? Ecgtheow

21. What does Beowulf realize at this point in the story? He will meet his end with this battle

22. What do most of Beowulf’s soldiers do as he is fighting the They run in terror
dragon?

23. What did Beowulf’s soldiers swear to him? They swore that they would come to his aid whenever he
needed it.

24. Who is the only soldier who stays? Wiglaf

25. What does this soldier say he would rather do than leave He would rather be burned to death
Beowulf to die alone?

26. Write down two examples of alliteration. “His name was Wiglaf, a son of Weohstan's, well-regarded
Shylfing warrior”