What phrase points to Grendel’s evil nature



Beowulf: Part One Study Guide

English IV: McCash

1) What phrase points to Grendel’s evil nature? (lines 1-3)

2) What does Grendel do at night, and why do none of Hrothgar’s men challenge Grendel? How long to this last? (lines 35-64)

3) Why does Grendel not touch Hrothgar’s throne? (lines 80-85)

4) Why is the background information about Grendel and Hrothgar in the poem? (lines 79-89)

5) What qualities of the epic hero are conveyed in lines 109-116?

6) How has Beowulf already begun to be glorified? (lines 125-130)

7) Beowulf says he has come to kill Grendel. What proof does he offer that he is up to the task? (lines 151-160)

8) Why do you think Beowulf intends to fight Grendel without a sword? (lines 165-175)

9) Why will Hrothgar not have to hold a funeral if Beowulf dies? (lines 180-185)

10) What is the purpose of Part 4: The Arrival of the Hero?

11) How would you describe Hrothgar? Use evidence from the text. (lines 195-210)

12) Why do you think Hrothgar makes a speech reminding Beowulf of the time he helped Beowulf’s father? What is the effect of the speech on Beowulf? Explain using evidence from the text. (lines 191-207)

13) Why might Unferth think that Beowulf is ashamed of having taken part in the swimming race? How does Unferth’s challenge build suspense? (lines 239-252)

14) What concession does Beowulf make about his competition with Brecca? (lines 265-270)

15) What is Beowulf’s explanation for not leaving Brecca far behind? (lines (274-276)

16) What event might Beowulf’s battle with the sea monster foreshadow? (lines 284-291)

17) Do you agree with Beowulf’s statement in lines 305-306 that “Fate saves/The living when they drive away death be themselves,” or do you think his words hold true more for his time period than our present day? Why?

18) How does Unferth serve as a character foil to the epic hero Beowulf? (lines 314-317)

19) What is Beowulf’s final response to Unferth’s challenge? (lines 323-334)

20) What is a kenning? Find an example of a kenning in lines 330-355.

21) What does Beowulf’s speech in lines 364-369 reveal about his character?

22) What does Hrothgar promise Beowulf? Why is this included in the narrative? (lines 385-392)

23) If Beowulf is an archetype of an epic hero, of what is Grendel an archetype? What details in lines 385-400 support your answer?

24) Why does Beowulf allow Grendel to slaughter on of the Geats before taking action? (lines 420-428)

25) “Higlac’s follower” is Beowulf. What details in lines 435-447 demonstrate Beowulf’s superhuman strength?

26) How is the battle between Beowulf and Grendel really a battle between good and evil? What details in lines 467-472 make this clear?

27) According to lines 479-485, why can’t Beowulf’s men harm Grendel?

28) As the episode ends in lines 498-510, what details remind the reader that Beowulf is a hero of epic proportions, able to represent a people and their values?

29) How does Beowulf defeat Grendel, and how does he prove his victory over Grendel? Why does he do this? (lines 490-517)

30) What has happened to Grendel in lines 522-533?

31) How do all the princes and leaders traveling to Herot after Beowulf’s victory add to his status as an epic hero? (lines 553-545)

32) What images in the description of Grendel’s lair associated Grendel with death and darkness? (lines 545-560)

33) What is Hrothgar asking Beowulf to do in lines 563-569?

34) What characteristics of an epic hero does Beowulf exhibit during his fight with Grendel’s mother? (lines 595-633)

35) What details of how Beowulf comes to the lair of Grendel’s mother remind the reader that Beowulf is not an ordinary man? (lines 570-594)

36) How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? (lines 633-645)

37) What is Beowulf’s final revenge against Grendel? What action provides a resolution? (lines 648-665)

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