Beowulf

Close Reading Questions

Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences and with text support (on separate paper). Use line #s for endnotes. Be clear in your answers and explain everything. Answer ALL questions and page numbers have been included to guide you in the right direction.

  1. Setting, conflict, and characters are introduced near the beginning of the epic. Explain the contrast that is developed between Herot, home of the Danes, and Grendel’s home. How do the Biblical allusions extend this contrast? What do the hall and Grendel represent, based on their descriptions at this point in the poem? What conflict is foreshadowed through this contrast? (410)
  2. Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sound in a line of poetry. Reread lines 33-37. What sound is alliterated throughout these lines? How does this sound create an image of the action? Explain. (410)
  3. Community lays at the heart of Anglo-Saxon society. Note the effect of Grendel’s actions on both Hrothgar, the Danes’ leader, and on their hall. Identify the tone of lines 44-49. What details and words help to convey the attitude of the poet? Discuss what happens to Hrothgar’s hall. What does the poet say “hate had triumphed”? Explain. (411)
  4. The poet grips the attention of the listeners by developing the conflict and the suspense. Identify the details that add to their understanding of the threat that Grendel poses. What does Grendel’s unwillingness to accept gold or land to settle the feud mean for the Danes? Explain. (411)
  5. Kennings are compound words or phrases used to both name and describe an object or person or place. Explain what the kenning “shadow of death” contributes to the characterization of Grendel. (411)
  6. The central character of an epic is a hero, a character who epitomizes the heroic ideal of a society. The hero incorporates the traits most admired by the culture. Identify details that show Beowulf. What conclusions about the traits most valued by the Anglo-Saxons can be drawn from this description? Explain. (412)
  7. The Anglo-Saxons believed that fate controlled one’s life. The manner in which a warrior responded to his fate, however, determined how he was remembered. Explain why “none of the wise ones regretted his [Beowulf] going.” (412)
  8. Why does Wulfgar request that the Geats leave their weapons outside the hall? Explain. (413)
  9. The Danes have never met Beowulf. Think about the impression created by the Danes’ first sight of him and by his words. Explain what Beowulf, seen in “the silvery metal of his mailshirt/ Gleaming with a smith’s high art,” represents to the Danes. Examine what Beowulf says to Hrothgar about himself and his past deeds. Why does he appear to boast about his accomplishments? Explain. (413)
  10. An epic reflects the historical context from which it originated. From lines 160-175, we can infer ideas about the sociopolitical conditions of the Anglo-Saxons. Explain Beowulf’s reasoning behind the method he will use to fight Grendel. What does this reveal about the relationship between warrior and leader? Explain. Identify details that reveal Beowulf’s attitude toward Hrothgar. Why does he feel this way? Explain. (414)
  11. Hrothgar responds to Beowulf’s long speech with one of his own. These long speeches are a characteristic of an epic. Often they include important ideas about values, behaviors, traditions, and beliefs of the culture and were used as a way to pass this information down from generation to generation. Explain how Hrothgar’s speech reflects the importance of courage and community. (415)
  12. Old epics were often sung to the accompaniment of a harp, strong rhythm is a prominent feature. Reread lines 233-240 and note the punctuation that indicates the caesura in some of the lines. How does the rhythm created by these pauses reinforce the action described in the lines? Explain. (415)
  13. The poet uses imagery and foreshadowing lin lines 241-261 to increase suspense. What details reinforce the idea of Grendel as a force of evil? Explain. Discuss how this view of Grendel increases suspense. Identify the foreshadowing in this passage and explain why the poet includes it. (416)
  14. Why does Beowulf allow one of his followers to be taken by Grendel before he attacks him? Explain. (416)
  15. Explain what the setting details in this passage (lines 290-305) reveal about Anglo-Saxon civilization. (417)
  16. The epic hero typically confronts enemies who have supernatural qualities that make them particularly difficult to defeat. Explain why Grendel is such a formidable opponent. Discuss the significance of the inability of Beowulf’s men to help him. (417)
  17. Symbols are objects or events that stand for something other than themselves. Poets may incorporate symbolism into their works to convey deeper meaning. Identify the evidence that supports the idea that the fight between Grendel and Beowulf is symbolic of the struggle between good and evil. How does the symbolism of Beowulf’s gesture in lines 356-359 reveal a theme resulting from this conflict? Explain. (418)
  18. How does the alliteration and imagery affect the impact of this part of the poem (lines 370-375)? Explain. (418)
  19. How do lines 376-380 relate to the Anglo-Saxon view of immortality? Explain. (419)
  20. How does this scene (lines 387-397) reflect the techniques used by Anglo-Saxon poets? Explain. (419)