B e o w u l f

Lesson Seven

The Big Question:

How is the tone of the poem affected by the
entrance of Beowulf into the great hall?
Write down the number and letter in the back of your exercise book
1. How do the soldiers feel as they arrive at Heorot? 4. How does Beowulf feel about the king & Denmark?

A) Exhausted A) Grief
B) Excited B) Frustration
C) Wary C) Anger
D) Delighted D) Hope

2. What state is the king in when they arrive? 5. What does Beowulf proudly proclaim?

A) Relieved A) “I am no weakling”
B) Defeated B) “I shall destroy your monster”
C) Exuberant C) “I fear nothing”
D) Mournful D) “Your treasure will be my reward”

3. How is Beowulf described as entering the great hall? 6. What monster has Beowulf already slain?

A) Stealthily A) A huge insect

B) Wearily B) A gigantic snake
C) Boldly C) A sea-beast
D) Wildly D) A dragon
 Thus spake King Hrothgar and from his bounteous heart
Thinking about the plot and language, Wished his youth well. Soon as the benches
what are your initial impressions? Had been cleared away for banquet, he called for his Queen,

Then Hrothgar stretched out his arms in welcome The gracious Wealtheow who, proudly entering,

And stared into the warrior’s blazing eyes and said: Was proudly hailed by royal trumpets.

‘Noble Beowulf, I knew you as a child, and who has not A gown of broidered gold she wore, behind her

Exulted your fame as a fighter? It is a triumphant song A long train, dark as the night sky,

That ocean thunders to the farthest shore, Illuminated with galaxy of stars that, she glided

It is a whisper in the frailest sea-shell. Forward to greet her guests, trembled in the torchlight.

Right gladly I grant your wishes – but first, one word The mead cup glowed in her hands, strong to revive them

Of warning. That mighty sword of yours – it will avail Weary from wandering over the surging sea.

Nothing with Grendel, whose life is proof against They drank and they feasted, the jewelled goblets clashed

All weapons whatsoever, wrought by man. In the great hall. There was loud revelry of heroes,

You must go for him with your hands, your bare hands.’ Bold merriment of men, and minstrel song
And the soothing voice of the harp – until twilight,
The drowsy hour of Grendel’s coming, the black shape
Stealing over the dusky moor.
 Why use this verb?
Why use this adjective?

Then Hrothgar stretched out his arms in welcome

And stared into the warrior’s blazing eyes and said:
‘Noble Beowulf, I knew you as a child, and who has not
Why greet What does this
him this Exulted your fame as a fighter? It is a triumphant song reveal about
way? That ocean thunders to the farthest shore, Anglo-Saxon
culture?
It is a whisper in the frailest sea-shell.
Right gladly I grant your wishes – but first, one word
Of warning. That mighty sword of yours – it will avail
Why include
Nothing with Grendel, whose life is proof against this detail?
All weapons whatsoever, wrought by man.
You must go for him with your hands, your bare hands.’
 How does the atmosphere Why use this adjective?
quickly change?

Thus spake King Hrothgar and from his bounteous heart

Wished his youth well. Soon as the benches
Had been cleared away for banquet, he called for his Queen, Why hold
Why The gracious Wealtheow who, proudly entering, a banquet?
included the
Queen? Was proudly hailed by royal trumpets.
A gown of broidered gold she wore, behind her
A long train, dark as the night sky, Why is this
What is sentence
implied Illuminated with galaxy of stars that, she glided
structured to
through the Forward to greet her guests, trembled in the torchlight. end on this
physical image?
description?
 Why use this verb?

The mead cup glowed in her hands, strong to revive them

Weary from wandering over the surging sea.
How does
the Queen’s They drank and they feasted, the jewelled goblets clashed
presence
In the great hall. There was loud revelry of heroes,
help the What is
warriors? Bold merriment of men, and minstrel song being
implied
And the soothing voice of the harp – until twilight,
here?
What is The drowsy hour of Grendel’s coming, the black shape
implied Stealing over the dusky moor.
through the
physical How does this contrast to
description? the earlier images?
Knowledge Snapshot
Complete the Knowledge Snapshot
by summarising the key events of the
poem so far and include important
quotations and draw pictures to
illustrate significant plot points.
B e o w u l f
Lesson Eight

The Big Question:

Why do heroes in classic literature
fight monsters?
Write down the number and letter in the back of your exercise book
1. How is Beowulf well-known according to the king? 4. What advice does the king give Beowulf about
fighting Grendel?
A) Skillful fighter
B) Extreme courage A) Set him on fire
C) Unmatched strength B) Attack from behind
D) Cunning intelligence C) Blind him with light
D) Use bare hands
2. How is Beowulf’s life known in another country? 5. What is the name of the Queen?

A) Song A) Queen Wealtheow

B) Book B) Queen Goldenhart
C) Letters C) Queen Ruby
D) Spies D) Queen Glitterjewel

3. What is Beowulf’s favoured weapon? 6. What instrument is played at the feast?

A) Axe A) The drums

B) Hammer B) The lute
C) Sword C) The harp
D) Spear D) The banjo
Thinking about the plot and language,
what are your initial impressions?
Straightaway Beowulf stripped off his armour, his mail coat,
His shining helmet. His shield and precious sword
Gave he to his servant, and in the ring 0f warriors
Lay down to rest. But spent as they were –
For tumult of Grendel and his havoc, like runaway hooves
Making riot in their brains – they could not sleep.
Under their fleeces in terror they sweated and trembled,
Wide-awake, till at last, outworn with weariness,
Heavy-lidded, they slept – all but Beowulf.
Alone, he watched.
What does this reveal about
Beowulf’s character? Why do this?

Straightaway Beowulf stripped off his armour, his mail coat,

His shining helmet. His shield and precious sword
Gave he to his servant, and in the ring 0f warriors Explore the
simile.
Lay down to rest. But spent as they were –
For tumult of Grendel and his havoc, like runaway hooves
Making riot in their brains – they could not sleep.
Under their fleeces in terror they sweated and trembled,
Compare
Wide-awake, till at last, outworn with weariness,
and contrast
Beowulf to Heavy-lidded, they slept – all but Beowulf.
the other Alone, he watched.
warriors? What is the significance
of this sentence?
 Speech Skills Vocabulary (use up to six)
I remember when….
Speech Structure

And now….

The day has come…

Let us…

I would rather… than…

That is……
Persuasive Devices (use up to six)
Pronouns Rhetorical Question Prolepsis
I well know…
Imagery Emotive Language Tricolon
Why should….? Imperative Comparison Anecdote
B e o w u l f
Lesson Nine

The Big Question:

How is Grendel made to seem
grotesque and dangerous?
Write down the number and letter in the back of your exercise book
1. What is Beowulf’s first action? 4. What simile is used to describe the men’s fear?

A) Give orders to his soldiers A) Like a wildfire in the woods

B) Create a pit trap B) Like a rotting corpse’s stench
C) Remove his armour C) Like a hornet’s nest
D) Sharpen his spear D) Like runaway hooves

2. What is Beowulf’s most prized weapon? 5. How do the men show their fear?

A) Sword A) Trembling
B) Spear B) Sweating
C) Axe C) Wide awake
D) Scythe D) Praying

3. What does ‘tumult’ mean? 6. What does ‘havoc’ mean?

A) The sound of thunder A) Ruin

B) A loud, confusing noise B) Misery
C) A type of piercing scream C) Hatred
D) A scream during a nightmare D) Loneliness
 Thinking about the plot and language,
what are your initial impressions?
Over the misty moor
From the dark and dripping caves of his grim lair,
Grendel with fierce ravenous stride came stepping.
A shadow under the pale moon he moved,
Angrily he prowled over the polished floor,
That fiend from hell, foul enemy of God,
A terrible light in his eyes – a torch flaming!
Toward Heorot. He beheld it from afar, the gleaming roof
As he scanned the warriors, deep-drugged in sleep,
Towering towards heaven. His tremendous hands
Loud he laughed, and pouncing on the nearest
Struck the studded door, wrenched it from its hinges
Tore him limb from limb and swallowed him whole,
Till the wood splintered and the bolts burst apart.
Sucking the blood in streams, crunching the bones.
Half-gorged, his gross appetite still unslaked,
Greedily he reached his hand for the next – little reckoning
For Beowulf. The youth clutched it and firmly grappled.
 How does the atmosphere What is implied through
quickly change? these words?

Over the misty moor

From the dark and dripping caves of his grim lair,
How is Grendel with fierce ravenous stride came stepping. Why use these
Grendel noun phrases to
introduced? A shadow under the pale moon he moved,
describe
That fiend from hell, foul enemy of God, Grendel?
Toward Heorot. He beheld it from afar, the gleaming roof
Towering towards heaven. His tremendous hands
How is
Grendel Struck the studded door, wrenched it from its hinges
presented as Till the wood splintered and the bolts burst apart.
a force of
nature?
 Why use this What is implied through the
adverb? adjective?

Angrily he prowled over the polished floor,

A terrible light in his eyes – a torch flaming!
Why use this As he scanned the warriors, deep-drugged in sleep, Why use this
imagery? adjective?
Loud he laughed, and pouncing on the nearest
Tore him limb from limb and swallowed him whole,
Highlight the
Sucking the blood in streams, crunching the bones.
verbs and
explore the Half-gorged, his gross appetite still unslaked,
effect on the
Greedily he reached his hand for the next – little reckoning
reader.
For Beowulf. The youth clutched it and firmly grappled.

How is Beowulf presented here?

Create a Monster
Take a full page in your exercise book
to draw, colour and label your own
monster. You can either create it
yourself or choose something from
mythology or fantasy fiction.
Then plan out how your creature
would attack a remote village in the
wildness and why.

Finally create a vocabulary list of verbs

and adjectives about Grendel from the
poem and word wheel that you can
use in your own story.
Monster Inspiration

An ancient dragon A starving ogre A tribe of cold- A bloodthirsty

is awoken from leaves his mountain blooded lizardmen vampire leaves his
her long slumber cave in search of migrate through crypt at the edge of
and swoops down fresh meat and spots the swamp and the village and
the chimney smoke stalks the streets via
to burn the village stumble upon a
from the village… the moonlight…
to ashes… lonely village…
Homework
Write a two page story in your
exercise book that describes your
monster attacking a remote village.
The inhabitants need to desperately
try to defend their homes.
Create suspense and tension as the
story develops. When the attack
happens, use the vocabulary you’ve
collected to design a vivid battle.
You decide how best to conclude the
story…
B e o w u l f
Lesson Ten

The Big Question:

How is the whole poem structured?
Write down the number and letter in the back of your exercise book
1. What does ‘ravenous’ mean? 4. Which of Grendel’s features is given attention?

A) Intense hunger A) Bulging muscles

B) Extreme anger B) Blood-soaked claws
C) Debilitating fear C) Gleaming eyes
D) A desire to run away D) Sharp teeth

2. What place is Grendel linked to? 5. What is a ‘fiend’?

A) Another world A) Demon

B) Underground B) Monster
C) Hell C) Creature
D) A dungeon D) Thing

3. How does Grendel show his immense strength? 6. How does Beowulf engage in battle with Grendel?

A) Snapping a fully grown tree into pieces A) Attacked from above

B) Throwing a person high into the air B) Clutched his arm
C) Punching through a wall C) Stabbed him in the stomach
D) Ripping off the great hall doors D) Dropped a net to catch him
 Thinking about the plot and language,
what are your initial impressions?
Such torture as this the fiend had never known.
In mortal fear, he was minded to flee to his lair,
But Beowulf prisoned him fast. Spilling the benches,
They tugged and heaved, from wall to wall they hurtled.
And the roof sang to their shouting, the huge hall,
Alone, Beowulf tore Grendel’s arm from his shoulder asunder,
Rocked, the strong foundations groaned and trembled.
Wrenched it from the root while the rough sinews cracked.
Then Grendel wailed from his wound, his shriek of pain
And the monster moaned in anguish, well knowing
Roused the Danes in their hiding and shivered to the stars.
That deadly was the wound and his mortal days had ended.
Wildly lamenting, away into the darkness he limped,
Over the misty moor to his gloomy home.
But the hero rejoiced in his triumph and wildly waved
In the air his blood-soaked trophy.
Why might this noun be expected to What is implied through the
describe Grendel instead of Beowulf? noun?

Such torture as this the fiend had never known.

In mortal fear, he was minded to flee to his lair,
How does
Why use this
this line But Beowulf prisoned him fast. Spilling the benches,
verb?
introduce They tugged and heaved, from wall to wall they hurtled.
weakness?
And the roof sang to their shouting, the huge hall,
Rocked, the strong foundations groaned and trembled.

How does Then Grendel wailed from his wound, his shriek of pain Why focus on
line develop Roused the Danes in their hiding and shivered to the stars. the senses,
weakness? especially
sound?
 Why is this adjective Why does Beowulf attack
significant? Grendel here?

Alone, Beowulf tore Grendel’s arm from his shoulder asunder,

What does Wrenched it from the root while the rough sinews cracked.
this verb And the monster moaned in anguish, well knowing How is Grendel
imply?
That deadly was the wound and his mortal days had ended. portrayed here
in contrast to
Wildly lamenting, away into the darkness he limped, earlier in the
Over the misty moor to his gloomy home. poem?
What is But the hero rejoiced in his triumph and wildly waved
implied
through the In the air his blood-soaked trophy.
physical
description?
Beowulf: Animated Tales
We’re going to watch an animated
version of the entire poem.
The poem was originally organised
into three different sections.
See if you can identify the three
sections and the relationship between
events in each part of the poem.
Make notes in the back of your book
as we watch.
B e o w u l f
Lesson Eleven

The Big Question:

Why is pathetic fallacy used
after the defeat of Grendel?
Write down the number and letter in the back of your exercise book
1. What word is used to describe Grendel’s pain? 4. Which part of Grendel is seriously injured?

A) Torture A) His feet

B) Torment B) His face
C) Trauma C) His arm
D) Terror D) His leg

2. How does Beowulf prevent Grendel from escaping? 5. What does ‘lamenting’ mean?

A) Dropping a net on him A) Grief-stricken

B) Grappling him B) Furious
C) Spearing him C) Wounded
D) Chaining him down D) Jealous

3. What sensory description is used to intensify the battle? 6. How does Beowulf celebrate his victory?

A) Touch A) Drinking ale

B) Smell B) A merry jig
C) Sight C) Waving his trophy in the air
D) Sound D) Shaking hands with everyone
Thinking about the plot and language,
what are your initial impressions?
And the sun,
God’s beacon of brightness, banishing night,
Alone, Meanwhile, in the hall at Heorot the grateful King,
Made glad the sky of morning. From near and far
All glooming gone, his countenance clear and cloudless
The Danes came flocking to Heorot to behold
As the sky in open radiance of the climbing sun.
The grisly trophy – Grendel’s giant arm
Gave thanks to God for deliverance. ‘Beowulf,’ he said,
Nailed to the wall, the fingertips outspread,
‘Bravest of men, I shall love you now as my son.
With nails of sharpened steel and murderous spikes
All I have is yours for the asking. Take
Clawing the roof. Having drunk their wonder,
What treasure you will. But first let us feast and be merry.’
Eagerly they followed his track to the lake, and there
Spellbound they stared at the water welling with blood,
Still smoking hot where down to the joyless deep
He had dived, downward to death. And they praised Beowulf
And swore that of all men under the sun, beyond measure
Mightiest was he and fittest to govern his people.
Why focus on the sun immediately How is pathetic fallacy
after Grendel’s defeat? being used here?

And the sun,

God’s beacon of brightness, banishing night,
Why does
Grendel’s Made glad the sky of morning. From near and far
defeat cause The Danes came flocking to Heorot to behold
this Why publically
reaction? The grisly trophy – Grendel’s giant arm display
Grendel’s arm?
Nailed to the wall, the fingertips outspread,
With nails of sharpened steel and murderous spikes
What focus
on the detail Clawing the roof.
of Grendel’s
claws?
 How is ‘drunk’ an How is there a role reversal between
appropriate verb? Grendel and the Danes here?

Having drunk their wonder,

Eagerly they followed his track to the lake, and there
Why would the
Spellbound they stared at the water welling with blood, water be
Still smoking hot where down to the joyless deep “smoking hot”?

He had dived, downward to death. And they praised Beowulf

And swore that of all men under the sun, beyond measure
Why is
Grendel’s Mightiest was he and fittest to govern his people.
Lair under
Why is this the outcome
water?
for Beowulf?
How has this word taken on
a new meaning now?

Alone, Meanwhile, in the hall at Heorot the grateful King,

All glooming gone, his countenance clear and cloudless
How has the
King’s As the sky in open radiance of the climbing sun.
appearance Gave thanks to God for deliverance. ‘Beowulf,’ he said, Why would the
changed? King say this to
‘Bravest of men, I shall love you now as my son. Beowulf?
All I have is yours for the asking. Take
What
different What treasure you will. But first let us feast and be merry.’
types of
rewards
does Why end with another
Beowulf feast?
receive?
Essay Plan Heroic
Before writing this essay, we need to plan to Qualities
Courage
think more deeply about the qualities of a hero. Selflessness
In the back of your book, list as many heroic Passion
qualities as you can. Then share them with a Integrity
partner and add any you missed. Reputation
Honesty
Finally, we’ll share as a class and I’ll show you Confidence
my list. Dedication
Finally, rank the qualities in the order you Compassion
consider the most important. This is debatable Loyalty
and there is no objective, correct answer. Fortitude
Intelligence
Essay Plan
Place your number one choice in the top hexagon
then add your other choices moving clockwise.

For each heroic quality, find an example from the

poem and write it out as a short quotation.

Then briefly summarise what is happening and

why this evidence supports the heroic quality.

Fill the A3 planning sheet with as many notes as

possible so that you can write a detailed response
to the question next lesson.
B e o w u l f
Lesson Twelve

The Big Question:

Why is Beowulf a hero?
Write down the number and letter in the back of your exercise book
1. What is the first image in the previous section? 4. What is Grendel’s lair?

A) Grendel’s blood on the floor A) A deserted castle

B) Beowulf battered and bruised B) A fort in the swamps
C) The sun rising in the sky C) Underwater cave
D) The soldiers’ celebrating their victory D) A graveyard

2. Why do the Danes flock to the great hall? 5. What does the king offer Beowulf as reward?

A) To celebrate A) His daughter’s hand in marriage

B) To see Grendel’s severed arm B) His choice of treasure
C) To thank Beowulf C) A royal title
D) To mourn the dead D) One hundred barrels of wine

3. What do the Danes do next? 6. What does ‘countenance’ mean?

A) Bury the dead and pray for their souls A) A person’s facial expression
B) Clear away the chaos of the battle B) A person’s emotions
C) Throw a feast to celebrate C) A person’s wealth
D) Follow Grendel’s tracks to his lair D) A person’s identity
Thinking about the plot and language,
what are your initial impressions? Then the minstrel sang of rousing deeds of old.
Straightaway they washed the blood from the floor,
Propped up the battered door; the drooping walls they draped
With embroidery, bright hangings of woven gold.
There was drinking and feasting again, revelry of heroes,
And the jewelled goblets clashed. At last the King,
Ordered gifts to be brought. To Beowulf he gave
A sword and mail coat and banner of gleaming gold;
A plated helmet so tough no steel might cleave it,
For their friend that slew Grendel.
Like flames in the firelight the heart leapt to hear them.
And when he was done and the harp lay silent,
The Queen of the Danes spoke out:
‘Beowulf, dearest youth, this your deed is matchless,
Greater than all the rest. In the farthest corners
Of the earth, your name shall be known.
Your praise shall be sung.’
And now the feast was ended.
With the final clarion of trumpets they left the hall,
Hrothgar and his gracious Queen, leading Beowulf
To a stately chamber to rest. Now fearless of the monster,
The warrior’s minds were at ease, quiet as the summer sea,
The sparkling water, unmurmuring and serene
Under the moon. In comfort of spirit, in blessed
Trust and tranquillity they sank to rest.
 Why is this the first act
before the feast?

Straightaway they washed the blood from the floor,

Propped up the battered door; the drooping walls they draped
What design With embroidery, bright hangings of woven gold.
would be on
the There was drinking and feasting again, revelry of heroes, Why would
tapestry? this be an
And the jewelled goblets clashed. At last the King,
aspect of the
Ordered gifts to be brought. To Beowulf he gave celebrations?
A sword and mail coat and banner of gleaming gold;
A plated helmet so tough no steel might cleave it,
What is the King For their friend that slew Grendel.
trying to say Why use the verb “slew”?
with these gifts?
 Why is this appropriate for
the situation?

Then the minstrel sang of rousing deeds of old.

Like flames in the firelight the heart leapt to hear them.
Explore this
simile. And when he was done and the harp lay silent,
The Queen of the Danes spoke out:
Why is this
‘Beowulf, dearest youth, this your deed is matchless, speech given to
Greater than all the rest. In the farthest corners the Queen?

Why would Of the earth, your name shall be known.

Beowulf feel Your praise shall be sung.’
so joyful to
hear this?
 What were trumpets
associated with?

And now the feast was ended.

With the final clarion of trumpets they left the hall,
How does
this honour Hrothgar and his gracious Queen, leading Beowulf
Beowulf? To a stately chamber to rest. Now fearless of the monster,
The warrior’s minds were at ease, quiet as the summer sea,
The sparkling water, unmurmuring and serene How does this
Under the moon. In comfort of spirit, in blessed imagery
contrast with
Why end Trust and tranquillity they sank to rest. section 8?
this section
of the poem
on this final
act?
Hero Essay CAUSE

BECAUSE
CONTRAST

BUT
CONSEQUENCE

SO
One useful way of writing a sentence that explains SINCE HOWEVER CONSEQUENTLY
your thinking about something is by using
DUE TO EVEN THOUGH HENCE
conjunctions to expand your ideas.
AS A RESULT OF ALTHOUGH THEREFORE

Sometimes we call these Because, But, sentences.

These basic conjunctions help to explain your ideas
in different ways

BECAUSE sentences explain WHY something is true.

You could also call them cause sentences.
BUT sentences show a change in direction of your
thinking. You could also call them contrast
sentences.
SO sentences explain what happens as a result of
something. You could also call them consequence
sentences.
Homework Due
Write a two page story in your
exercise book that describes your
monster attacking a remote village.
The inhabitants need to desperately
try to defend their homes.
Create suspense and tension as the
story develops. When the attack
happens, use the vocabulary you’ve
collected to design a vivid battle.
You decide how best to conclude the
story…