Beowulf Discussion Questions

Grendel
1. Give two examples of alliteration in the first 10 lines.
2. What are the Danes celebrating in the opening feast of the story? Give two
details of the story.
3. Describe Grendels lineage that is given in the first stanza. What allusion is
used to describe these monsters?
4. Who is Hrothgar? What is Herot?
5. Describe Grendels attacks on Herot. How long have these attacks occurred?
6. In line 82, identify the personification and explain its presence i.e. what is
its purpose?
7. What is special about Hrothgars throne, and why cant Grendel touch it?
Beowulf
8. Who is Healfdane? Who is Higlac?
9. What is ironic about the type of words/actions used by Hrothgars lieutenant
who stops Beowulf and his men?
10. How does this lieutenants description of Beowulf fit the characteristics of an
epic hero?
11. Explain the imagery when Herot is described in lines 218-221. What purpose
does this imagery serve?
12. What items from his rsum does Beowulf share with Hrothgar to convince
him of his worthiness to fight Grendel?
13. What has Beowulf heard about how Grendel fights, and how does he vow to
also fight?
14. Describe the differences that exist between Hrothgar and Beowulf in your
opinion.
15. Why is Grendel a necessity in the epic poem and to the epic hero?

The Battle with Grendel

16. What is the purpose of Grendels attacks being so vividly described? (Whats
the intended effect?) Identify the diction used that contributes to these horrific
images.
17. What is Grendels immediate impulse when he feels the strength of Beowulfs
hand? If hes so fierce, why does he have this particular impulse?
18. Why do we again get such a thorough description of Herot as Beowulf and
Grendel battle? What is it again being likened to?
19. Why cant Beowulfs mens do any harm to Grendel?
20. Describe how Beowulf defeats Grendel. How does Beowulf show off his
victory?
21. What traits of Beowulf and Grendel raise the fight between them to the level
of an epic struggle between the two great opposing forces in the world (good
versus evil)?
Grendels Mother
22. What is this description of the monsters lair an allusion to?
The Battle with Grendels Mother
23. What keeps Grendels mother and the other sea monsters from hurting
Beowulf as she drags him to her lair?
24. Why do you think Hrunting and Beowulfs armor are ineffective against the
lady monster?
25. What is it that causes Beowulf to [leap] back/Into battle (485-487) even
after she has torn through his armor?
26. What saves Beowulf from the dagger? Does this show a pagan or a Christian
belief?
27. How does this battle end?
28. What two trophies does Beowulf return with?
Beowulfs Last Battle
29. What honor does Beowulf receive after Higlac and his son have died? For
how long does he rule?

30. What is threatening his kingdom and why does he go to fight it?
31. What does he do differently in planning for how to fight this battle? Does this
reveal any changes in him? Explain.
32. Describe Beowulfs battle with the dragon.
33. Who is Wiglaf and how does he differ from Beowulfs other followers?
The Death of Beowulf
34. Who does Beowulf give thanks to before dying?
35. What honor does he bestow on Wiglaf?
36. What does Wiglafs speech in lines 851-862 reveal about the importance of
honor and the consequences of dishonorable behavior in this time period?
Mourning Beowulf
37. What is the message to all men (61) at the end of the poem?
38. Does this ending fit that of an epic hero? Why/why not?

Themes, Motifs, and Symbols: Provide explanations of and evidence for each of the
following themes, motifs, and symbols.
Themes:
importance of establishing identity

the difference between a good warrior and a good king -

good triumphing over evil -

Motifs:
good versus evil/light versus dark

Biblical allusions -

monsters -

mead-hall -

Symbols:
the hand of God/throne of God

Hrunting -

Grendels arm -

the lair of Grendel and his mother -

Grendels mother -