Beowulf

Study Guide 1 of 4

Lines 1 - 52

  1. The poet begins with the story of Sheild Sheafson. Though he was a mere “foundling to start with,” how would he claim fame (and the Danish throne)?
  2. In the opening section about Beo, son of Sheild, what major theme is introduced regarding the relationship between warrior and lord? Consider what the poet means by his qualifier for “prudent.” That is “giving freely while his father lives / so that afterwards in age when fighting starts / steadfast companions will stand by him / and hold the line.”
  3. Describe the ceremony for Sheild’s death and comment on what aspects of it sound more pagan than Christian (lines 32 – 52).

Lines 53 - 114

  1. At the end of the pdf you will find the family trees. These are often helpful when trying to remember who is who among the Danes, Geats, and Swedes. They also reflect the phallocentric society. For instance, how many children did Sheild’s grandson father? And how many are named? Hmmm. So if you’ve ever wondered why the proper singular pronoun for an unknown gender is always masculine (as in “Anyone joining us on the field trip must bring his signed permission slip by Friday”), now you know.
  2. Hrothgar, a grandson of Beow, becomes a successful warrior and then King. It is at this point that the action of the story begins. Later in life, what does Hrothgar have built and for what reason (lines 67 – 79)?
  3. What is there about the hall that angers Grendel, “a prowler through the dark” (lines 89 – 114)?
  4. If Grendel is meant to be a punishment for a sin Hrothgar has committed, what might the sin be (and if you’ve seen the animated movie with Angelina Jolie, it’s not that)?
  5. Who is Grendel’s ancestor? Familiarize yourself with this allusion to Genesis if you don’t already know it.

Lines 115 - 189

  1. Grendel always attacks at what time of day? Speculate on the reasons why.
  2. The first night Grendel visits the mead hall he slays thirty sleeping warriors. When he returns the second night, he kills more men. What actions do the warriors then take?
  3. When they cannot buy the monster off and they fail to come up with a bold plan to stop him, what actions do the warriors take during these “hard times, heart-breaking for the prince of the Shieldings”[1] (170-188)? Note the juxtaposition of two religions in this passage.

Lines 189 - 257

  1. Why does Beowulf come to Hrothgar’s kingdom with fourteen men?
  2. Describe the reaction of “the watchman on the wall” when he sees Beowulf and his men unloading their ship.

Lines 258 - 319

  1. How does Beowulf, “leader of the troop,” respond to the challenge form the coast-guard? Describe his tone as well as his meaning.
  2. How does the coast-guard respond?
  3. Why do you suppose Beowulf has made this trip?

Lines 320 - 370

  1. At Hrothgar’s, Beowulf and his men are challenged by Wulfgar, “a proud warrior” standing guard to the entrance of Heorot. What impresses Wulfgar when he first sees them (lines 335-336)?
  2. Why does Wulfgar encourage Hrothgar to meet Beowulf and his men?

Lines 371 – 455

  1. Hrothgar, in indicating former knowledge of Beowulf, also provides what two possible motivations for Beowulf’s helpful presence? How does this relate to question #2 above?
  2. Does Beowulf seem to be too boastful?
  3. What indication is there that Beowulf realizes he could lose this fight?

Lines 456 - 498

  1. What Anglo-Saxon practice does Hrothgar describe to Beowulf in lines 459-472? This is yet another reason for Beowulf’s presence.
  2. Hrothgar also explains why he is king instead of his older brother. Why?
  3. How does the relationship between Beowulf and Hrothgar establish a motif of age vs. youth?

[1] Shieldings is synonymous with Danes.