1a. Who is Hrothgar? What does he build for his people? Whom does the feasting at this place disturb? From whom is this creature descended? What has the Almighty done to the descendents of this person, and how does this creature behave? What is the result of this creature's actions on Herot?
2a. For what purpose does Beowulf come to the land of the Danes? What does Beowulf say about his own courage and strength? What does Beowulf request of Hrothgar and others to help him fight Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon?
3a. What is the end result of Beowulf's three battles in this selection? In what ways does Beowulf exhibit strength throughout his life?
4a. Some biblical references in this epic include references to the story of Cain and more direct references to the Christian God, often referred to in this translation of the poem as the "Almighty." Explain what role both Grendel and Beowulf play in terms of these biblical references.
5a. Which of Beowulf's qualities and deeds classify him as a hero, according to ancient Germanic values?
1b. What signs are there that Hrothgar is a good king? How do you think Grendel feels about his situation? about Hrothgar's building? Why might Grendel react as he does, growling in pain and impatience?
2b. What desires do you think motivate Beowulf to travel across the sea to help Hrothgar? Explain whether Beowulf seems able and equipped to carry out his missions to fight Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon.
3b. How do the Danes regard Beowulf throughout the selection? In what ways do they judge him to be heroic?
4b. How does the poet—and perhaps the Christian scribe who copied and embellished this epic—use the Bible to explain Grendel's evil actions? Why do you think biblical events were used in the retelling of this epic? In what way do the biblical elements help to tie the story together and give it greater meaning?
5b. Based on your own contemporary standards, explain whether Beowulf is a hero.
Heroic Epic. What have you learned from reading this poem about the beliefs and ways of life of the ancient Germanic peoples? How was their society organized? What did they do for entertainment? What struggles did they face in life? For them, what made a great person? What aspects of their world do you admire or dislike? Why?
Compound Words and Apposition. A kenning is a metaphorical two-word replacement for a noun. What are some original kennings you might use to describe both the monster and the hero in this Germanic epic?
One example of apposition in the poem refers to Grendel as "That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime." What makes this apposition unusual? How do people typically think of guardians and shepherds? What are some other examples of apposition from the poem? What do the appositions add to the poem?
1. Write a menu imaginatively describing foods and beverages that might be served at an ancient Germanic feast. You do not have to limit your descriptions to ordinary food items, but can base some of them on supernatural elements of the poem, Beowulf. For example, one item served might be "Fresh filet of sea monster, our catch of the day—freshly strangled off the coastline by a hero of local renown—served with fresh sea salt and lemon, an unusual dish for the adventurer in you."
2. Write a script for a brief scene in an adventure movie about Beowulf. How might you update some of the dialogue and action in your chosen scene to appeal to a contemporary audience?
3. In a critical essay, a writer presents an argument in support of a particular interpretation of a work of literature. Draft a critical essay on one of the following thesis statements, or main ideas, or come up with your own thesis about Beowulf: • Beowulf perfectly embodies the Germanic heroic ideal. • Hrothgar is an example of a once great Germanic king who is past his prime and whose power is beginning to wane. • Grendel is a more sympathetic character than many of his actions may lead the reader initially to believe.
Subject-Verb Agreement in Compound Subjects and Collective Nouns. Rewrite the following sentences. Star (*) the correct verb tense from the parentheses in the sentences below. Then bracket the subject (or subjects) of each verb and tell whether the subject is compound or whether it is a collective noun.
1. The ancient Germanic people (was/were) often at war amongst themselves.
2. Many poems and histories of the period (describe/describes) these people's battles.
3. The Welsh historian Gildas (is/are) credited with writing a stirring account of a battle that took place on Badon Hill, in the English countryside.
4. In the story, the Britons and the Anglo-Saxon tribe (is/are) at war, because the Anglo-Saxon tribe (is/are) invading England.
5. Today, the community of historians (disagree/disagrees) as to whether this story was the source of the legend of King Arthur.
Working with Analogy Questions. Read the Language Arts Survey 5.49, "Analogy Questions." Then choose the letter of the best answer for each of the following analogies.
1. Beowulf : Grendel :: click to select answer a. master : servant b. enemy : villain c. hero : villain d. hero : victor
2. Beowulf : strength :: click to select answer a. sprinter: slowness b. thief: stealth c. hero: cowardice d. singer: song
3. Beowulf: barehanded :: click to select answer a. warrior: plunder b. king : hall c. archer : arrow d. Grendel: joylessness
4. Hrothgar : Herot click to select answer a. baseball player : outfield b. architect: building c. worker: office d. Webmaster : computer
5. Hrothgar : Danes click to select answer a. Russian : European b. Beowulf : Danes c. Anglo-Saxon : Scandinavians d. President : United States citizens
