Beowulf: Study Guide

THE GLENCOE LITERATURE LIBRARY
Study Guide
for
Beowulf
A translation by Burton Raffel

To the Teachern
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In For the Teacher you will find these time-saving instructional aids:
• About the Work: pertinent background information on the work, including a
character list, a plot synopsis, key themes, and an annotated bibliography
• Media Links: annotated listings of audio, visual, electronic, and print resources
related to the work
• Teaching Options: high-interest activities for introducing the work and
individualizing instructions
• Assessment Options: alternative assessment activities for greater flexibility in
evaluating students’ understanding of the work
• Options for Using Related Readings: suggested approaches to the Related Readings
included with the work
• Answer Key and Assessment Rubrics: detailed answers to all questions and reading
activities and evaluations for alternative assessment activities
For the Student consists of these reproducible blackline masters:

• Meet the Author: a lively overview of the author’s life
• Introducing the Work: background information that provides a meaningful context
in which to read the work
• Before You Read and Responding pages: pre- and postreading questions and activities
• Active Reading: graphic organizers for students to complete as they read activities
• Test: a comprehensive two-part test of the work
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Contents
For the Teacher
About the Work 2
Synopsis 2
Major Themes of the Poem 2
Approaches to Teaching the Poem 3
Annotated Bibliography 3
Media Links 4
Teaching Options 5
Options for Motivating Students 5
Meeting Individual Needs 6
Assessment Options 7
Options for Using Related Readings 8
Answer Key 10
Assessment Rubrics 12
For the Student

Meet the Danes, Swedes, and Geats of Beowulf 13
Introducing the Poem 14
Prologue–Part 18 Before You Read 16
Active Reading 17
Responding 18
Parts 19–31 Before You Read 20
Active Reading 21
Responding 22
Parts 32–43 Before You Read 24
Active Reading 25
Responding 26
Related Readings Blackline Masters
The New Beowulf, Online NewsHour
with Seamus Heaney 28
from Grendel, by John Gardner 29
Old English Riddles, translated by
Charles W. Kennedy 30
The Slaying of the Dragon, by Dino Buzzati 31
Medusa’s Story, by Jane Cahill 32
The Woman with the Big Thumbnail,
from Tales from the Basotho,
edited by Minnie Postma 33
Test 34
About the Work
BEOWULF friend, Esher. Once again, Beowulf offers
Hrothgar his help. He pursues the ogress to
Beowulf is the first great heroic poem in her underwater lair and, after a fierce battle,
English literature. No one knows when, slays her. When Beowulf returns to Herot,
where, by whom, or under what conditions Hrothgar showers him with gifts. Beowulf
Beowulf was composed. We do know that it and his men then return to Geatland.
has existed in written form for more than a Years later, Higlac, King of the Geats
thousand years. The epic describes the leg- and Beowulf’s uncle, is killed in battle.
endary Geatish hero Beowulf and his three Beowulf ascends to the throne and rules for
great battles against supernatural monsters. fifty years. All is well until a slave raises the
Beowulf is acclaimed as one of the finest ire of a dragon by stealing a cup from its
examples of heroic poetry in the English hoard of treasures. Beowulf sets out with a
language and as an inspiring tale of courage. handful of his bravest men to vanquish the
Moreover, Beowulf provides a fascinating creature but is deserted by all the men
glimpse into early Germanic life. except Wiglaf, a kinsman. With Wiglaf’s
SYNOPSIS help, Beowulf slays the dragon, but he is
mortally wounded during the battle and dies
Hrothgar, prosperous ruler of the Danes, a hero’s death.
builds a magnificent mead hall, Herot, to *Note: A list of characters is provided on
share the spoils of war with his men. page 15 of this study guide.
Grendel, an evil monster that prowls the
moors nearby, is so envious of the merry- MAJOR THEMES OF THE POEM
making at Herot that he breaks into the hall • The search to attain a measure of immortality
one night and seizes thirty of Hrothgar’s by performing heroic deeds. This theme is
warriors. The monster drags the men to his introduced in the prologue, which
den for slaughter, starting a twelve-year describes
reign of terror. When news of the Danes’ Danish heroes,
plight reaches Beowulf, the greatest warrior Ancient kings and the glory they cut
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

among the Geats, a neighboring tribe to the For themselves, swinging mighty swords!
north, he gathers fourteen of his fiercest
It is developed throughout the poem in
warriors and sets sail for Denmark. Hrothgar
descriptions of Beowulf’s exploits and is
gives Beowulf a warm welcome, but
reinforced in the conclusion, in which the
Unferth, one of Hrothgar’s warriors, is less
Geats praise Beowulf for his heroic deeds.
friendly. Jealous of Beowulf’s fame, Unferth
• The importance of maintaining a civilized,
suggests that Beowulf will meet with failure
orderly society. Beowulf abounds with con-
if he dares to challenge Grendel.
trasts between order (good) and chaos
That night, Grendel returns to Herot,
(evil). Note, for example, the sharp differ-
and Beowulf engages the monster in battle.
ence between the misery that the Danes
When Beowulf tears off one of Grendel’s
suffer when they are kingless and the pros-
arms, the monster is mortally wounded. The
perity that they enjoy when Shild takes
following day, the Danes hang Grendel’s
control—or the contrast between
arm from the rafters of Herot, and Hrothgar
Hrothgar and Grendel, Herot and
hosts a victory celebration. The victory is
Grendel’s lair, the Danes’ victory feasts
short-lived, however, because that night,
and Grendel’s man-eating attacks.
Grendel’s mother seeks revenge. After the
• The display of courage in the face of death.
warriors have fallen asleep, she steals into
Before confronting each of his three major
Herot and kills Hrothgar’s counselor and old
2 For the Teacher Beowulf Study Guide

adversaries, Beowulf vows to fight • A Beowulf Handbook, edited by Robert E.
unyieldingly even if he is fated to die. Bjork and John D. Niles, 1997, is an
indispensable guide to the work.
APPROACHES TO TEACHING • “Why Bother with Beowulf?,” by Melissa
THE POEM Snell, is an illuminating essay that can be
found on the Internet at http://
• Use Beowulf to teach the defining character- historymedren.about.com/library/weekly/
istics of epic poetry. Explain that an epic is aa011698.htm
a long narrative poem that recounts in • “Why Read Beowulf?,” by Robert F. Yeager,
formal language the exploits of a larger- provides excellent rationales for reading the
than-life hero. Ask students to describe poem. The Internet address is as follows:
the heroes and plots of epics that they http://www.neh.gov/publications/
have read (such as the Iliad and the humanities/1999-03/yeager.html
Odyssey). Follow up by asking students to
make predictions about the hero and plot
of Beowulf. Encourage students to jot
down their predictions in their journals.
As students read Beowulf, periodically
ask them to review their notes to see
whether their predictions are accurate.
Encourage students to make further pre-
dictions about the plot.
After students have finished reading
the poem, ask them whether it fits the
definition of an epic and why.
• Use Beowulf to introduce major devices of
Old English poetry. Describe major devices
of Old English verse, such as alliteration,
caesuras, and kennings. Provide students

with examples of each.
As students read Beowulf, ask them to
find examples of each device. Call for vol-
unteers to share their examples with the
class.
After students have finished reading
the poem, follow up by assigning them to
write brief poems that contain one or
more devices of Old English verse.
FURTHER READING FOR THE

TEACHER
• Beowulf: Modern Critical Interpretations,
edited by Harold Bloom, 1987, is a helpful
collection of critical essays about the
work.
Beowulf Study Guide For the Teacher 3

Media Links
Videos
The following videos about superheroes may be used to help students better understand the
characters and themes of the epic as a genre.
• Excalibur (starring Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson; 1981, 140 minutes)
• Willow (directed by Ron Howard, starring Val Kilmer; 1988)
• Dragonheart (starring Sean Connery and Dennis Quaid; 1996, 103 minutes)
Music
Students might enjoy listening to composer Howard Hanson’s famous work The Lament of
Beowulf, Op. 25, performed by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Symphony
Chorale (Delos International, 1991). The 19-minute piece captures the Geats’ outpouring of
grief over Beowulf’s death. A libretto accompanies the CD.
Audiocassettes
To heighten students’ sense of the aural texture of Beowulf, suggest that they listen to read-
ings of it in the original Old English.
• Beowulf, read by J. D. Bessinger Jr. (Harper Collins, 1996)
Art
The book Beowulf: A Likeness by Randolph Swearer, Raymond Oliver, and Marijane
Osborne, 1990, features striking photographic images that capture the historical setting.
Internet Connection
The Internet can be a valuable research tool. Suggest that students visit some of these sites:

• Anglecynn: Anglo-Saxon Living History 400–900 A.D., The Historical Background of
Beowulf, at http://www.geocities.com/athens/2471/
• The Adventures of Beowulf, an adaptation from the Old English by David Breeden, at
http://www.lone-star.net/literature/beowulf/index.html
• Reproduction of Anglian Dress, a photo and description of Anglo-Saxon clothing at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MelanieWilson/dresspic.htm
• Grendel’s Cave, a multiplayer role-playing adventure game at
http://www.grendelscave.com/index.html
At the time this study guide went to press, these Web sites were in operation. Before
assigning students to visit the sites, check to ensure that the sites still exist.
Further Reading for Students

• Introduction to Beowulf, by Edward B. Irving Jr., 1969, provides an overview and historical
context for students who are new to the poem.
• A Readable Beowulf, by Stanley B. Greenfield, 1982, is a translation of the poem written at
a comfortable reading level.
• Beowulf: A New Verse Translation, by Seamus Heaney, 2000, is a sophisticated but very
accessible retelling of the epic.
Be sure to preview all media links to determine whether the material is appropriate for your class.
Teaching Options
Options for Motivating Students
Fascination with Epic Heroes • Prepare the class for Beowulf by explaining that
scōps (shops), or bards, recited narratives for
Provide meaningful context by discussing the
audiences at castles, royal courts, and mead halls
appeal of heroes.
(banquet houses) in Anglo-Saxon times.
• Point out that stories about heroes fighting evil Mention that some of the story materials the
monsters are highly popular. Ask students to Beowulf poet used were probably performed long
describe heroes in movies, games, or books that before they were written down. Tell students that
fit the genre. some of the devices of Old English verse, such as
• Divide the class into small groups. Have groups formulaic repetition, originally served scōps as
brainstorm a list of reasons why epic heroes are mnemonic devices. Briefly discuss the place of
so popular. After about five minutes, ask groups performance poetry in the oral tradition.
to share their lists.
• Prepare students to read Beowulf by introducing
it as the first epic poem in the English language.
Point out that the poem was written more than Laying the Groundwork
a thousand years ago and that it is about a leg- Provide Historical Background (Interdisciplinary:
endary hero who wins fame by fighting three Social Studies).
supernatural monsters. Encourage students to • Explain that the early medieval Europe in
note Beowulf’s heroic qualities as they read the which Beowulf is set was dominated by inde-
poem. Ask them to consider why the poem is pendent Germanic bands or tribes that often
still read and admired today. fought one another and yet shared much the
same language, customs, and ideals. The fami-
lies that composed each tribe united under a
The Poet as Performer single chieftain, or “king,” and a small group of
fellow warriors loyal to him. The king relied on
Introduce students to verse as a form of creative
his warriors to fight for him. In exchange, he
expression.
gave them food, shelter, and gifts from the
• Briefly define performance poetry as a relatively spoils of battle.
recent (and controversial) form of entertain- • Together with students, review the map of early
ment in which poets perform their works for
Denmark and its neighbors on page 14 of this

audiences. Point out that typical venues for guide. Note that it shows the location of several
performance poets are coffeehouses, bars, and of the peoples that figure in Beowulf. Point out
rock-entertainment TV stations such as MTV. that their proximity to one another might have
Explain that poets compete against each other encouraged clashes like those the poem relates.
in “poetry slams” and that the winners are • Share with students images of sites resembling
decided by the amount of applause they receive key elements of the setting of Beowulf, such as
from the audience. photos of a re-created Anglo-Saxon village; a
• Invite a couple of volunteers to perform from sacrificial bog in Lejre, Denmark; the hull of a
memory a brief rap verse or song lyric suitable for Viking ship; the Viking Age hall interior and
the class. Tell student performers that they will exterior in Trelleborg, Denmark; a facsimile of
be competing against each other, and the audi- Herot; and a barrow, or burial mound, over-
ence will decide the winner. Afterward, ask looking the sea. (See Media Links, page 4, for
student performers how they felt about reciting sources of background images.) Show students
verse for an audience. Then ask audience mem- photos of chain mail and other war gear used
bers to describe the criteria that they used to by Germanic warriors in early medieval times.
evaluate the performances. Initiate a brief discus- Follow up by asking students to do further
sion on the merits and drawbacks of the poetry research about everyday life in the world of
slam. Beowulf.

Meeting Individual Needs
The style and structure of Beowulf make it for king. Explain that these are not new words,
appropriate for students who enjoy challenging but used for imaginative or musical effect.
reading material. The following activities are Encourage students to make a list of words that
designed to help you present the poem in ways present difficulties and to use contextual clues
that meet the needs and interests of all students. to determine the definitions of the words.
Provide students with an alternate translation.
• Refer students to the adaptation The
Less-Proficient Readers Adventures of Beowulf, by David Breeden. (See
Encourage students to work together to under-
Media Links, page 4.)
stand the poem.
• Have students form small discussion groups.
(This is an opportunity to pair gifted students Gifted and Talented
with less-proficient readers and with English- Provide literary criticism to extend and reaffirm
language learners.) After students complete student interpretation.
each reading assignment, have them meet in • In his critical essay “The Monsters and the
their groups to discuss the poem and share any Critics,” novelist and scholar J. R. R. Tolkien
questions that they have. responds to scholar Friedrich Klaeber’s claim
• You might also suggest that students work that “Beowulf lacks steady advance” by assert-
together to develop a rough outline of the ing that “the poem was not meant to advance,
important events in the poem. Encourage stu- steadily or unsteadily. It is essentially a balance,
dents to review the outline before they begin an opposition of ends and beginnings.” Have
each new reading assignment. students explain what “an opposition of ends
Model how to read the poem aloud. and beginnings” means in relation to Beowulf
• Explain that verse usually has a rhythmic pat- the hero. What does Tolkien’s view suggest
tern and that pausing at appropriate points can about the poem’s overall structure?
enhance both the meaning and the music of
the verse. Model how to read enjambed lines,
pausing only where sense or punctuation dic-

tates rather than at the end of each line. Then
have students select partners and take turns
reading parts of the poem aloud. Follow up by
having partners work together to summarize
what happens in each part.
English-Language Learners
Explain to students that familiar words are used
in original ways to achieve poetic effects.
• Kennings (metaphoric compound nouns used
in place of more familiar words) may present
special difficulties for English-language learners.
Explain that the poet sometimes combines
words, often with a hyphen, to form an expres-
sion used in place of a more familiar word—for
example, “sea road” for ocean and “ring-giver”

Assessment Options
Writing Viewing and Representing
Beowulf’s Motives Map It!
• What motivates Beowulf as he moves • Have students create a story map that rep-
from one exploit to another? Have stu- resents important events, decisions, and
dents write a short essay presenting their moments of discovery in the life of
points of view and use evidence from the Beowulf. Display students’ maps on a
poem to support their positions. classroom bulletin board or in the school
library.
Good and Evil
• Beowulf contains several conflicts in You Have Mail
which the forces of good struggle against • Have students draw, photocopy, or scan
the forces of evil. Ask students to write a images of early medieval armor and
brief essay analyzing one of the conflicts weaponry, label the items, and point out
and the part it plays in developing a those referred to in the poem.
theme of Beowulf.
Herot Attacked!
• Ask students to write a brief newspaper Interdisciplinary Connection
account of Grendel’s first attack on Herot. Beowulf’s Lament
Tell students that they may use their • Have students listen to composer Howard
imagination and quote “eyewitnesses” in Hanson’s The Lament of Beowulf, Op. 25
their report but should remain true to the (see Media Links, page 4), and read the
details of the poem. accompanying libretto. Then ask students
to write a brief essay in which they evalu-
ate how well the work captures the mood
Listening and Speaking of the poem.
Hear Me!
• Ask students to perform a choral reading
of the prologue to Beowulf. Have one
group of students declaim it in the tradi-
tional style and another in the rapping

style of today. Then have students vote on
which style they prefer and have them
explain why.
Sword Report
• Swords were prized possessions in
Beowulf’s warrior culture. Have students
research the craft of sword making during
the early medieval era and present their
findings in a brief oral report. Students
should answer the following questions: Of
what were the best swords made, and for
whom? Where were the swords made?
What are some of the famous swords in
Beowulf and in heroic legend?

Options for Using Related Readings
Related Readings Making Connections to Beowulf
The New Beowulf, In this interview, the award-winning poet explains how and why he
Online NewsHour decided to translate Beowulf.
with Seamus • You may wish to teach this interview after students have finished reading
Heaney Beowulf.
(BLM page 28) • Before students read the interview, discuss the difficulties of translating a
work of literature from one language to another.
• After students read the interview, compare and contrast Heaney’s
translation with Burton Raffel’s.
from Grendel This reading describes the fight between Grendel and Beowulf from
by John Gardner Grendel’s point of view.
(BLM page 29) • You may wish to teach this reading after students read the first section of
the poem (Prologue–Part 18), on which the excerpt is based.
• Before students read the excerpt, state that who narrates a story is as
important as what story is being told. Ask why this might be true.
• After students read the excerpt, ask them to compare and contrast the
portrayal of Grendel in Beowulf and in the excerpt. Discuss how the narra-
tive point of view affects each portrayal.
Old English Riddles These three riddles can provide students with some insight into
(BLM page 30) Anglo-Saxon culture.
• Use the riddles to provide students with an easy and fun introduction to
Old English poetry.
• Point out the caesura, or medial pause in the lines, and then read the rid-
dles aloud, pausing at the appropriate points.
• Point out the connection between riddles and kennings: both make vivid
something familiar by expressing it in unfamiliar or seemingly unrelated
terms. Have students write riddles of their own.

Options for Using Related Readings
Related Readings Making Connections to Beowulf
The Slaying of the This short story looks at dragonslayers in a new light.
Dragon • You may wish to teach this story after students read the third section of
by Dino Buzzati Beowulf (Parts 32–43), in which Beowulf is slain by the dragon.
(BLM page 31) • Before students read the story, discuss the portrayal of the dragon in Beowulf.
• After students read the story, ask them to contrast Beowulf the dragonslayer
with the dragonslayer in the story. How does the story break from conven-
tion? Why?
Medusa’s Story This short story recounts the Medusa myth from Medusa’s point
by Jane Cahill of view.
(BLM page 32) • You may wish to teach this story after students read the second section of
Beowulf (Parts 19–31), in which Grendel’s mother seeks revenge.
• Before students read the story, review the Medusa myth with them.
• After students read the story, discuss the portrayal of Medusa and ask stu-
dents to find parallels between Medusa and the monsters in Beowulf.
The Woman with the This African folktale has many parallels with Beowulf.
Big Thumbnail • You may wish to teach the folktale after students read the second section of
edited by Beowulf (Parts 19–31), in which Grendel’s mother seeks revenge.
Minnie Postma • Before students read the story, point out that certain motifs recur in many
(BLM page 33) legends and folktales. Ask why this might be so.
• After students read the folktale, ask them to identify as many similarities
between Beowulf and the folktale as they can.
• Follow up by asking students what conclusions they might draw based on
the similarities between the narratives.

Answer Key
ACTIVE READING his concern that they be well provided for. Bequeathing his
Prologue–Part 18 treasures to Higlac suggests his loyalty and closeness to
Shild: King of the Danes; arrived in a boat as a child; great Higlac, his king and his uncle.
grandfather of Hrothgar. Hrothgar: King of the Danes; builder of 4. Beowulf is brave, noble, and generous; Hermod is blood-
Herot; wise and generous. Welthow: wife of Hrothgar; ideal thirsty, tyrannical, and selfish. The contrast sets off
queen; generous and diplomatic. Beowulf: hero of the poem; Beowulf’s superior qualities and makes it clear that he is
ideal warrior; strong, brave, and honorable; Geat by birth. an ideal warrior and leader.
Unferth: one of Hrothgar’s warriors; jealous challenger of 5. Beowulf takes Hrunting into battle. Unferth gave him the
Beowulf. Grendel: evil monster; an offspring of Cain; terrorizes sword. Like Hrunting, Unferth is unreliable in battle.
Herot for twelve years; killed by Beowulf. Evaluate and Connect
Parts 19–31 6. Answers will vary. Some students might view the ancient
To avenge the death of Grendel, Grendel’s mother kills Esher, sword that Beowulf discovers as an example of deus ex
Hrothgar’s trusted counselor. machina. Others may argue that divine intervention is an
To avenge the death of Esher, Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother. essential part of the poem and that instances of deus ex
Parts 32–43 machina are acceptable in a fantasy.
The dragon seeks revenge by burning down the Geats’ homes; 7. Revenge leads to a vicious cycle of killing in which violence
All of Beowulf’s men desert him in battle except Wiglaf; begets violence. Even in the world of Beowulf there are
Beowulf strikes the dragon, but his sword is shattered; Wiglaf other, more effective ways to settle disagreements. Note
and Beowulf kill the dragon; Beowulf dies of his wounds; The that Hrothgar was able to settle the feud between the
Geats are leaderless, and Wiglaf rises to take Beowulf’s place. Geats, and Wulfings by offering gifts to the injured party.
Students may also mention other means of settling dis-
RESPONDING Prologue–Part 18 putes, such as arbitration.
Recall and Interpret
1. Hrothgar builds Herot to share the gifts that God has given RESPONDING Parts 32–43
him. The hall doesn’t collapse during battle because it is Recall and Interpret
reinforced with iron. Its collapse would have symbolized the 1. A slave of one of the Geat warriors steals from a hoard of
collapse of the Danish throne. treasures guarded by a dragon. In retaliation, the dragon
2. When Beowulf’s father triggered a feud between the Geats burns the land of the Geats.
and the Wulfings, he was forced to go into exile in 2. Beowulf assumes the throne when Herdred is killed in bat-
Denmark. Hrothgar settled the feud by sending treasures to tle. He had a chance to become king when Queen Higd
the Wulfings to appease them. Beowulf probably feels offered him the throne for fear that Herdred would not be
indebted to Hrothgar and welcomes the opportunity to repay able to protect the Geats, but Beowulf refused out of loyalty
his kindnesses. to his lord. As king, he continues to show the strength,
3. Grendel is a powerful, evil outcast descended from Cain. bravery, and generosity he showed as a young warrior.
Grendel symbolizes the forces of evil and chaos. 3. Like Beowulf in his youth, Wiglaf is brave, loyal, and has a
4. Unferth, though considered trustworthy by Hrothgar and strong sense of duty. Wiglaf rebukes the other warriors for
Welthow, killed his own kin. Beowulf, however, has shown their cowardice much as Beowulf rebuked Unferth for his
unquestionable loyalty to Higlac and to the Dane’s cause. cowardice. Wiglaf is a worthy successor because he has
Unferth has a high reputation as a warrior but lacks the the same qualities as Beowulf.
courage and strength Beowulf has to fight Grendel. By con- 4. Beowulf’s death brings in the threat of war on the Geats at

trasting Beowulf with Unferth, the poem emphasizes the hands of the Frisians, Franks, and Swedes.
Beowulf’s greatness. 5. Usually the treasures from a defeated enemy were shared
5. Answers may vary, but most students will probably agree with the people. The burial of the treasures with Beowulf
that women played a subservient role, as evidenced by the signifies the great love and respect his people had for him.
fact that Welthow serves Hrothgar and the warriors. Evaluate and Connect
Evaluate and Connect 6. Answers will vary, but most students will probably agree
6. Answers will vary. Some students may believe that the story that Beowulf is an exciting adventure story that provides an
would be easier to follow if it were written in prose. Other interesting look into the past and exalts values that are still
students may argue that the rhythm of the verse and the prized.
beauty of the language enhance the story. 7. Answers will vary. Students should say that Wiglaf would
7. Answers will vary, but most students will probably agree that probably agree that some things are worth sacrificing one’s
Beowulf would be listed among the heroes because he is life for because he risked his own life to defend Beowulf
strong, fearless, and honors his father’s memory by helping against the dragon.
Hrothgar. RELATED READINGS
RESPONDING Parts 19–31 The New Beowulf, Online NewsHour with Seamus Heaney
Recall and Interpret 1. When Heaney says that the Beowulf poet “lived in two
1. Key characters’ bloodlines are frequently mentioned, with worlds,” he means that the poet was familiar with both the
names of male ancestors frequently conferring honor on the pagan Scandinavian past and the “new” Christian
descendants. The lack of information about Grendel’s Mediterranean culture.
father suggests that he may be illegitimate, which would 2. Heaney makes a direct connection between Old English and
make him an outcast and deserving of his fate. the language spoken in his community when he says that
2. The mood is joyous because Beowulf has triumphed over the Old English word thole was still in use there.
Grendel. The mood quickly changes to mournful and sad 3. Heaney says that the conflicts in Ireland are similar to those
when Grendel’s mother kills Esher. in Beowulf in that both cases involve small ethnic groups liv-
3. Beowulf’s speech shows his loyalty to his men, expressing ing together with memories of wrongs on each side. Heaney
10 Answer Key Beowulf Study Guide

Answer Key (continued from previous page)
points out, however, that unlike the characters in Beowulf, the and she has been wronged because of Athena’s jealousy
Irish are not commanded by their leaders to seek revenge. and because her own sisters betrayed her.
4. When Heaney says that poetry has “no tense,” he means 5. Fate plays an important role in both works, but the main
that poetry is timeless because it deals with universal characters’ reponses to fate are different. Medusa knows
themes. Students are likely to agree. her fate and feels cursed by that knowledge. Beowulf does
5. Students’ answers will vary but should be supported by not have foreknowledge of his fate but accepts it.
specific reasons. The Woman with the Big Thumbnail
Grendel 1. Sechakatane is lonely because her mother has killed and
1. Grendel is shocked that Beowulf has seized his arm, saying eaten everyone else in their village.
that nowhere has he encountered a grip like his. He attrib- 2. Sechakatane meets Bulane when he comes to kill her
utes it to Beowulf’s playing a trick on him and to accident. mother.
2. Grendel thinks that he can outwit Beowulf, describing him 3. Bulane and his men trick Machakatane and ambush her.
as “only a man.” He believes that it was only because of 4. The repetition, conversational tone, and refrain “so say the
luck that Beowulf was able to overcome him. old people” indicate that the poem belongs to the oral
3. Grendel slipped on blood when he tried to kick Beowulf. tradition.
4. Grendel attributes Beowulf’s success to the accident, say- 5. Both the folktale and the epic poem describe man-eating
ing that the accident gave Beowulf the advantage. female monsters that terrorize people, and in both works a
5. In the excerpt, Grendel is portrayed as a thinking, calculat- hero comes to slay the monster.
ing being whose philosophy is that chance determines the TEST
outcome of events. In the poem, Grendel is an unthinking
beast with a lust for blood.
1. d 5. d
Old English Riddles 2. b 6. d
1. Students should offer the following solutions: anchor, fish 3. c 7. a
in a river, and shield. Students should mention the phrases 4. c 8. b
“under the sea,” “I feel out the bottom,” “In lying still,” and
Evaluate and Connect (any 2)
“if my grip holds out.”
1. Students’ answers will vary, but they might observe the fol-
2. “My house is not quiet, I am not loud.”
lowing: Like the ruler Hrothgar describes, Beowulf becomes
3. Students should have determined, based on context, that
a famous, powerful, and prosperous king who keeps his
smitten means “hit” or “struck.” Since the shield has been
people’s enemies at bay. When confronted by the dragon,
struck by war-blades, “smitten” is an appropriate description.
Beowulf thinks at first that it brings God’s retribution for
4. The “shield” expresses itself with the greatest emotions.
some sin Beowulf has committed. Even though Beowulf has
Terms that describe it include “lonely,” “wounded,” “without
ruled for many years and survived everything fate has
hope of comfort or help,” and “doomed.”
thrown him, he knows that if God wills, the dragon might
5. Kennings will vary. Students should see that the kennings,
end his life and thus end his rule.
like the riddles, are metaphoric.
2. Beowulf is larger than life. He wins fame by risking his own
The Slaying of the Dragon life to perform glorious feats. He grip is so strong that
1. Dr. Taddei warns Andronico that the smoke the dragon emits swords break in his hand, he single-handedly wipes out a
is deadly. Andronico thinks that Dr. Taddei is misinformed. nest of giants, he swims and battles sea monsters for
2. The dragon is about six feet long, with a head similar to a seven days, and he slays Grendel and Grendel’s mother.
crocodile’s, a long neck, and a short tail. Most students will
Equally important, Beowulf is a good man. He is loyal to his

agree that the portrayal is sympathetic, particularly when it allies, respectful of his ancestors, and attends to his duties
becomes evident that the dragon is merely trying to find as a son, a friend, and a leader.
food and protect its young. 3. Both the prologue and the conclusion describe the funerals
3. Answers may vary, but most students will agree that the of great heroes. The prologue describes the burial of Shild,
apparent heroes of the story are not, in the end, heroes at and the conclusion describes the burial of Beowulf. The
all. The dragon never threatens them, and their method of structure of the poem invites comparisons between Shild
killing the dragon is cowardly, as are their reasons for and Beowulf, thus unifying the work.
killing it. 4. Students’ answers may vary but should be supported by evi-
4. The dragon is a relic of an earlier time, when human beings dence from the poem. Statements of theme might include the
did not rule the earth. For that reason, the expeditioners following: Great deeds bring great fame; the forces of order
feel threatened by it. and goodness inevitably conflict with the forces of chaos and
5. Both dragons are relics of an ancient past, and both prefer evil; death should be faced with courage.
to remain secluded from humankind. The dragon in the 5. What Ker finds preposterous is Beowulf ’s structure, which
story is not aggressive and does not directly threaten peo- he faults for placing the hero’s fights with supernatural
ple. The dragon in Beowulf is aggressive and threatening. monsters at the center of the poem while placing plots of
Medusa’s Story greater dignity or deeper significance on the periphery.
1. Athena is jealous of Medusa’s beauty and ability to attract Students who agree might argue that the poem would have
men. Most students will agree that Medusa is blameless had clearer relevance and thus greater impact if it had cen-
and that the punishment does not fit the crime. tered on a hero in conflict with himself or other human
2. Medusa welcomes death because she is so miserable. beings, as in situations the poem alludes to. Students who
3. Medusa would be likely to say that she would not want to disagree might argue that focusing on fights with supernat-
know her fate. Knowing her fate has made her miserable. ural monsters, not merely other human beings, heightens
4. Students are likely to say that Medusa does arouse their Beowulf’s heroism and the tragedy of his death: even the
sympathy because she is burdened with the knowledge of best of humankind suffer final defeat.
her fate, she is forced to suffer when she meant no harm,
Beowulf Study Guide Answer Key 11

Assessment Rubrics
Use these criteria as guidelines for evalu- Viewing and Representing
ating students’ performance on Assessment
Map It! Students’ maps should
Options activities presented in this Study
• accurately identify important events, deci-
Guide. sions, and moments of discovery in the
life of Beowulf
• present events in chronological order
Writing • be visually appealing to a wide audience
Beowulf’s Motives Students’ essays should You Have Mail Students’ displays should
• have a thesis statement that expresses the • accurately depict armor and weaponry of
student’s point of view the sixth or seventh century
• include specific examples from the poem • include labels that identify the items
that support the thesis statement • identify items referred to in Beowulf
• have a clear introduction, a well-developed
body, and a logical conclusion
Good and Evil Students’ essay should Interdisciplinary Connection
• identify and analyze a conflict between Beowulf’s Lament Students’ essays should
good and evil • display an awareness of the mood of The
• include specific evidence from the poem Lament of Beowulf, Op. 25, as expressed in
• explain how the conflict helps further the both the music and the libretto
theme of the poem • evaluate the effectiveness of the composi-
Herot Attacked! Students’ reports should tion in capturing the mood of Beowulf’s
• accurately describe Grendel’s attack on death scene
Herot
• include quotations from “eyewitnesses”
• display an awareness of newspaper style
Listening and Speaking

Hear Me! Student performers should
• capture the poem’s original purpose in the
oral tradition
• vary their tone of voice and facial
expressions to communicate the tone of
the poem
• capture and hold the audience’s attention
Student evaluators should
• listen attentively
• vote on which performance they preferred
and explain why
• offer constructive criticism
Sword Report Students’ reports should
• describe the craft of sword making during
the early medieval era
• explain what the best swords were made
of, where they were made, and whom they
were made for

Meet the Geats, Danes,
and Swedes of Beowulf
B y the time that Beowulf was written down, Germanic tribes from Scandinavia and elsewhere in north-
ern Europe had been invading England’s shores for centuries. The principal human characters in
Beowulf hail from three Scandinavian tribes: the Geats, the Danes, and the Swedes. The genealogy of
these tribes is shown below.
THE GEATS
Swerting
Hrethel
Herbald Hathcyn Higlac daughter

(m. Higd) (m. Edgetho)
daughter Herdred BEOWULF

(m. Efor)
THE DANES
Shild
Beo
Healfdane
Hergar Hrothgar Halga Yrs

(m. Welthow) (m. Onela)
Hrethric Hrothmund Freaw

(m. Ingeld)
Herward Hrothulf
THE SWEDES
Ongentho
Ohther Onela
(m. Yrs)
Eanmund Eadgils
Beowulf Study Guide 13

Introducing the Poem
One of the most important remains of Anglo- CHARACTER LIST
Saxon literature is the epic poem Beowulf. Its Much of the early action takes place in Herot, a
age is unknown; but it comes from a very great mead hall, or banquet hall, where the well-
distant and hoar antiquity . . . It is like a piece loved and generous Danish king Hrothgar holds
of ancient armor; rusty and battered, and yet court. The following list includes the principal
strong. characters in Beowulf, some of whom appear in
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow the genealogies on page 13.
Beowulf, an ideal warrior of the Geats and the
BACKGROUND hero of the poem
It is a curious fact that some of the world’s great- Dragon, a fire-breathing, snakelike monster that
est literature has come to us from an unknown terrorizes the Geats
hand. Beowulf, the first epic poem in the English Grendel, a monster with human qualities that
language, ranks high among such literature. terrorizes Herot for twelve years
Scholars believe that this epic about a brave war- Grendel’s mother, a monster that also terrorizes
rior who vanquishes evil monsters was composed Herot
between the mid-seventh century and the end of Hrothgar, Danish king and builder of Herot
the tenth century. Some of the story materials the Higlac, king of the Geats and uncle of Beowulf
poet uses may have been passed down by word of Shild, legendary king of the Danes and great-
mouth from one generation to the next. grandfather of Hrothgar
Beowulf was probably composed in writing by Unferth, a warrior in Hrothgar’s court who
one man. Although no one knows the identity of challenges Beowulf’s bravery
the author, he lived in what is now England, Welthow, Hrothgar’s wife
probably somewhere north of the river Thames. Wiglaf, a young warrior and relative of Beowulf
Little more can be said about the author with cer-
tainty, except that he was highly skilled in poetic Early Denmark and Sweden
technique and was thoroughly familiar with the
During the Time of Beowulf

traditional themes and legends of early Germanic
culture. Swedes
What is it about Beowulf that moved the
American poet Longfellow to compare it to “a
piece of ancient armor; rusty and battered, and
yet strong”? Perhaps it is that the poet fused early Geats
Germanic history, legends, mythology, and ideals Jutes
with Christian faith and values to create an North Danes
enduring work of art that inspires as it entertains. Sea a
Or perhaps it is that we still cherish many of the Se
l ti c
qualities that Beowulf embodies—among them Ba
courage, loyalty, and generosity.
THE TIME AND PLACE
The poem is set mainly in Denmark and Geatland Frisians
(now southern Sweden) during the sixth century.
Franks
The map at right shows the locations of peoples
mentioned in Beowulf. The proximity of those peo-
ples to one another, together with the warrior code
they followed, made for frequent clashes.
14 Beowulf Study Guide
Did You Know?
In 1939, excavations at Sutton Hoo (in Suffolk, in Beowulf that scholars suggest Beowulf may
England) uncovered a royal treasure-filled ship have been based, in part, on memories of the
buried in the seventh century—perhaps not ancient burial. Some have even speculated
long before Beowulf was first composed. The that the poem was composed as a tribute to
ship is thought to be the burial site of an early the late king, but no solid evidence has been
Anglo-Saxon king or nobleman. The treasures found to support this notion.
found there were so much like those described
CRITIC’S CORNER
The account of the hero’s funeral with which the poem ends . . . [is] at
once immemorial and oddly contemporary. The Geat woman who cries
out in dread as the flames consume the body of her dead lord could come
straight from a late-twentieth-century news report, from Rwanda or
Kosovo; her [lament] is a nightmare glimpse into the minds of people who
have survived traumatic, even monstrous events and who are now being
exposed to a comfortless future. We immediately recognize her predicament

and the pitch of her grief and find ourselves the better for having them
expressed with such adequacy and dignity and unforgiving truth.
—Seamus Heaney, introduction to Beowulf: A New Verse Translation

Before You Read
Beowulf Prologue–Part 18
FOCUS ACTIVITY
Who are today’s heroes? What special qualities do these people possess?
Share Ideas
With a small group of classmates, brainstorm a list of people who are admired as heroes. Next to the name
of each person on the list, jot down a few qualities that make this person a hero. What does your list sug-
gest about the qualities that people prize today?
Setting a Purpose
Read to discover the qualities that make Beowulf a hero.
BACKGROUND
Did You Know?
Beowulf contains one of the earliest instances in English of a flyting—a dispute, or an exchange of personal
abuse, in verse. In part 8, the Danish warrior Unferth calls Beowulf a “boastful fool” and taunts him for
undertaking and losing a reckless swimming match. Beowulf responds by telling how the match really
went, accusing Unferth of fratricide, and faulting him for lacking the heart to confront Grendel.
The Epithet
An epithet is usually an adjective or a brief phrase used to characterize a person, place, or thing. For
example, in Beowulf God is variously described as “the Lord of all Life,” “the Ruler of glory,” “the Lord of
heaven and earth,” and “our eternal Lord.” As you read Beowulf, pay attention to the epithets. Note how
they provide a brief summary of major characters’ most essential qualities.
VOCABULARY PREVIEW
lair [lār] n. home or resting place, esp. of a wild animal (l. 125)

lament [lə ment] n. expression of sorrow or grief (l. 128)
loathsome [lōthsəm] adj. extremely disgusting; repulsive; offensive (l. 985)
purge [purj] v. to cleanse or rid of whatever is unclean or undesirable (l. 432)
reparation [rep´ə rāshən] n. act of giving satisfaction or making amends, as for a wrong or an injury
(l. 158)
reprisal [ri pr¯zəl] n. retaliation against an enemy for injuries or losses suffered, with the intent of
inflicting equal or greater injury (l. 597)
solace [solis] n. relief from sorrow or disappointment; comfort; consolation (l. 185)

Name 㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭 Date 㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭 Class 㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭㛭
Active Reading
Several key characters are introduced in the first section of the poem. Write a brief description of each
character in the appropriate boxes below to help fix the character in your mind.
Shild Beowulf
Hrothgar Unferth
Welthow Grendel

Responding
Personal Response
What are your first impressions of Beowulf?
Analyzing Literature
1. Why does Hrothgar build Herot? Why doesn’t it collapse when Beowulf engages Grendel
in combat? What might its collapse have symbolized?
2. How did Hrothgar come to know Beowulf’s father? Do you think that Beowulf feels
indebted to Hrothgar for his past kindnesses to the family? Explain.
3. Briefly describe Grendel. What might Grendel symbolize?

4. Contrast Beowulf and Unferth. What function does Unferth serve in the poem?
5. Based on Welthow’s actions in the poem, what role or roles do you think women played
in Anglo-Saxon society?

Responding
Analyzing Literature (continued)
Evaluate and Connect
6. In your opinion, would the story be better if it were written in prose rather than verse?
Explain.
7. How might a contemporary of Beowulf’s answer the Focus Activity question on page 16?
Literature and Writing

Analyzing Purpose
In a few paragraphs, analyze the purpose of the prologue, or introduction, to Beowulf. How
does it set the stage for the action that follows?
Extending Your Response
Literature Groups
Some readers view Beowulf as a boastful glory seeker. Other readers view Beowulf as a noble,
selfless man. With a small group of classmates, discuss each point of view. Try to come to a
consensus on Beowulf’s character. Then share your opinion with the class, supporting it with
evidence from the poem.
Learning for Life
Using the author’s descriptions of Grendel, develop a psychological profile. Describe the
monster’s personality and possible motivations for his behavior.
Save your work for your portfolio.

Before You Read
Beowulf Parts 19–31
FOCUS ACTIVITY
Recall a time when you stood up for a friend or family member. Why did you defend the person?
Journal
In your journal, describe the situation and explain why you took a stand.
Setting a Purpose
Read to find out who stands up for Grendel and why.
BACKGROUND
Did You Know?
During medieval times, nobles often chose marriage partners for their children. A princess of one people
might be given in marriage to the ruler of another in order to create alliances between their two peoples.
As you read Beowulf, note the marriages that are described and think about the alliances that they create.
Foreshadowing in Beowulf
Foreshadowing is the use of hints or clues to prepare readers for events to come. As you read Beowulf,
look for clues about how the tale will end. Pay close attention to speeches and descriptions that appear to
suggest more than what they actually describe.
VOCABULARY PREVIEW
exulting [i zultin] adj. rejoicing greatly (l. 1881)
fetters [fetərz] n. anything that confines or restrains (l. 1609)
host [hōst] n. large number; multitude (l. 1788)
imperious [im pērē əs] adj. dictatorial; domineering; overbearing (l. 1932)
niggardly [ niərd lē] adj. miserly; tight-fisted; penurious (l. 1929)

surging [surj in] adj. moving with a violent, heaving, swelling motion (l. 1453)

Active Reading
Many of the characters in Beowulf are motivated by vengeance. As you read the next section of Beowulf,
use the chart below to note characters who seek revenge.
To avenge the death of Hnaef, King Hengest kills Finn.
To avenge
To avenge

Responding
Personal Response
What lines linger in your mind? Why?
1. Grendel’s mother is a major figure, but nothing is known about Grendel’s father. In a
poem in which ancestry is important, what does Grendel’s ancestry suggest about his
character?
2. What is the mood at Herot at the beginning of Part 19? How does the mood change? Why?
3. What does Beowulf’s speech just before fighting Grendel’s mother suggest about his rela-
tionship to his men? To Higlac?

4. Contrast Beowulf and Hermod. How does the contrast help define Beowulf’s character?
5. What sword does Beowulf take into battle? Who gave him the sword? What does the
sword’s failure in battle suggest about its owner?

Responding
6. The literary term deus ex machina refers to the improbable and unexpected introduction
of a person or device to make things turn out right. In your opinion, does the term apply
to Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mother? Explain.
7. In Beowulf what are the consequences of seeking revenge? What other ways might prob-
lems be worked out?

Recognizing Allusions
Allusions are references in a work of literature to a well-known person, place, event, written
work, or work of art. Beowulf contains numerous biblical allusions. For example, Grendel is
described as an offspring of Cain. In a paragraph or two, explain what this allusion or any
other allusion of your choice adds to the poem.
Literature Groups
With a small group of classmates, discuss Beowulf ’s portrayal of women (including Grendel’s
mother). Based on the portrayal of women in the poem, describe the “ideal” Anglo-Saxon
woman. How would she have behaved? What roles would she have played? Share your
description with the class.
Performing
With a partner, discuss the tone of parts 20 and 21, in which Hrothgar laments the murder
of his trusted counselor Esher and Beowulf responds. How do you think the king and
Beowulf feel? How might these feelings be conveyed in their tones of voice and facial expres-
sions? Choose roles and rehearse the scene; then perform it for your class.

Before You Read
FOCUS ACTIVITY
Are some things worth sacrificing one’s life for? What might they be?
Think-Pair-Share
With a partner, talk about someone who risked his or her life to help someone else. What was the result?
Setting a Purpose
Read to discover how, out of selflessness, a man makes the ultimate sacrifice.
BACKGROUND
Did You Know?
Old English poems rely heavily on alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of
words in close proximity. Note, for example, the alliteration in these lines from the prologue to Beowulf:
“We’ve heard of Danish heroes / . . . and the glory they cut . . . swinging mighty swords! / How Shild
made slaves of soldiers from every / Land, crowds of captives he’d beaten.” As you read the final section of
Beowulf, look for instances of alliteration, and think about how they add to the music of the poem.
The Kenning As a Literary Device
Another device that often appears in Old English poetry is the kenning, a descriptive figure of speech
that takes the place of a familiar noun. Beowulf contains numerous examples of this special use of words.
For example, the route that Beowulf and his men sail is called a “sea-road,” and the waves are called
“ocean furrows.” As you continue to read, look for other examples of this literary device.
VOCABULARY PREVIEW
bolt [bōlt] v. to break away from control; start and run off (l. 2888)
hoary [ho r ē] adj. venerable; ancient (l. 2553)

livid [liv id] adj. having a grayish-blue coloration from a bruise (l. 2724)
reproach [ri prōch ] n. act of reproaching; blame; reproof (l. 2331)
skulk [skulk] v. to move in a furtive or stealthy manner (l. 2366)
venomous [ ven ə məs] adj. able to inflict a poisonous wound, esp. by biting or stinging; secreting and
transmitting venom (l. 2838)

Active Reading
Beowulf is a narrative poem that moves through a sequence of events. As you read Parts 32–43 of the
poem, trace the events from the beginning of this section to the end by completing the boxes below.
At the end, predict the fate of the Geats.
A fugitive steals a cup from the

dragon’s hoard.
Beowulf prepares to fight the

dragon alone.
The dragon wounds Beowulf

mortally.
Beowulf is accorded a hero’s burial. Outcome for the Geats:

Responding
Personal Response
Were you surprised by the conclusion of Beowulf? How would you have ended the poem? Why?
1. What incident leads the dragon on the path to vengeance?
2. How does Beowulf become king of the Geats? Explain how his ascension to the throne
reinforces the character traits he displays earlier in the poem.
3. In what way does Wiglaf resemble the younger Beowulf? What makes him a worthy
successor to Beowulf?

4. Why is Beowulf’s death a turning point for the Geats?
5. What is usually done with treasures taken from a defeated enemy? Why is it significant
that the treasure from the dragon’s den is buried with Beowulf?

Responding
6. How might you account for the enduring popularity of Beowulf? Would you recommend
it to a friend? Why or why not?
7. How do you think Wiglaf would answer the question in the Focus Activity on
page 24? Why?

Pretend that you are Beowulf writing a letter to Wiglaf, your successor. What advice would
you give to him to lead the Geats? What mistakes might you warn him against making?
What values would you suggest he hold dear? Draw upon details from Beowulf’s life that you
think would be instructive to the young leader.
Literature Groups
With a small group of students, discuss a theme, or main idea, developed in Beowulf.
Together, write a sentence or two that sums up the theme. Then share your summary with
the class, explaining how you arrived at it.
Learning for Life

With a small group of students, write the script for a news broadcast on the death of
Beowulf. Recap his illustrious career, the main events in his life, his rise to fame and even-
tual death. Include brief “man-on-the-street” interviews with Geats responding to the loss.
Choose roles and rehearse the broadcast; then videotape the production and play it for your
class or, if you prefer, do a live performance.

The New Beowulf Online

NewsHour with
Seamus Heaney
Before You Read
Focus Question
What do people mean when they say that something is “lost in translation”? What does it take to create a
good translation of a work?
Background
Rarely does poetry make the bestseller list. Yet Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf did just that.
Heaney’s translation has been hailed as “both direct and sophisticated, making previous versions look
slightly flowery and antique by comparison.” In this interview, Heaney talks about the work.
Responding to the Reading
1. What does Heaney mean when he says that the Beowulf poet “lived in two worlds”?
2. What connection does Heaney make between the Old English in which Beowulf was originally writ-
ten and the language spoken in the rural community where he grew up?
3. According to Heaney, in what ways are conflicts in Beowulf similar to the conflicts in contemporary

Northern Ireland? How are they different?
4. What does Heaney mean when he says that “poetry has no tense”? Do you agree? Explain.
5. Making Connections In the interview, Heaney reads his translation of lines 86–96 of Beowulf. Compare
with Heaney’s translation Burton Raffel’s translation in your text. Which translation do you prefer? Why?
Writing About Literature
Heaney’s translation of Beowulf has been described as being more accessible than earlier versions of the
poem. Get a copy of Heaney’s translation of Beowulf from your school or community library and compare
it with the translation in your text. Then, in a few paragraphs, tell what you think makes it more accessi-
ble than Raffel’s version. Support your opinion by quoting passages from both translations.

John Gardner from Grendel

Before You Read
Focus Question
Think of a time when you had to weigh two sides of a story before you could form an opinion. How did
the two points of view differ? How did you decide which one to believe?
Background
John Gardner taught creative writing and published poems, novels, short stories, criticism, and children’s
books before his untimely death in 1982. This excerpt is from the last two chapters of his novel Grendel.
It describes Grendel’s encounter with Beowulf from the monster’s point of view.
1. What is Grendel’s reaction to Beowulf’s seizing his arm? How does he explain it?
2. What does Grendel think of Beowulf?
3. What was the accident that, in Grendel’s mind, gave Beowulf the upper hand?
4. Does Grendel attribute Beowulf’s success to his prowess or to the accident? How do you know?
5. Making Connections How does the portrayal of the monster in Grendel differ from the portrayal in
Beowulf?
Creative Writing
Using the excerpt from Grendel as a model, rewrite a folktale from the monster’s point of view. For exam-
ple, you might retell “Little Red Riding Hood” from the wolf’s point of view or “Jack and the Beanstalk”
from the giant’s point of view. Share your story with your class.

translated by
Charles W.
Kennedy
Old English Riddles
Before You Read
Focus Question
Why are riddles able to engage and hold our interest?
Background
The Exeter Book, a collection of Old English texts from which these riddles come, contains ninety-five
such poems, suggesting the popularity of riddling in Anglo-Saxon society.
1. What is the solution to each riddle? Which words and phrases in the first riddle provide the best clues
to the solution?
2. What paradox, or apparent contradiction, is set up in the first two half-lines of the second riddle?
3. Why might the object in the third riddle be described as “smitten”?

4. In which riddle does the subject express itself with the greatest emotion? is the object given the most
emotional content? In what terms does it describe itself?
5. Making Connections Choose a kenning from Beowulf and explain how it might be viewed as a riddle.
Creative Writing
Using these riddles as models, write a verse riddle of your own. Choose an everyday object and describe its
most essential characteristics. Share your riddle with your classmates and see if they can solve it.

Dino Buzzati The Slaying of the

Dragon
Before You Read
Focus Question
Monster movies continue to draw large audiences. Why do so many people enjoy stories about monsters?
What is the appeal of movie monsters like Godzilla and King Kong?
Background
Italian author Dino Buzzati wrote several distinguished fantasy stories and novels. In his works, he often
combined the real and the fantastic. Buzzati died in 1972.
1. What warning does Dr. Taddei give Andronico? Why doesn’t Andronico heed Dr. Taddei’s warnings?
2. Briefly describe the dragon. In your opinion, is the portrayal of the dragon sympathetic? Explain why
you feel as you do.
3. In your opinion, are the dragon slayers in this story heroes? Explain.
4. What might the dragon symbolize?
5. Making Connections Compare the dragon in “The Slaying” with the dragon in Beowulf. In what
ways are the two monsters similar? different?
Literature Groups
With a group of classmates, discuss the techniques that Buzzati uses to make the story of the dragon plausible.

Jane Cahill Medusa’s Story

Before You Read
Focus Question
If someone could foretell your future, would you want the person to describe what will happen to you or
would you rather not know? Why?
Background
If you believe that there are two sides to every story, then you will enjoy this retelling of the Medusa
myth. “Medusa’s Story” recounts the events in the Greek myth from the monster’s point of view.
1. Why does Athena punish Medusa? In your opinion, does the punishment fit the crime? Explain.
2. How does Medusa feel about her impending death? Why?
3. How might Medusa answer the Focus Question? How can you tell?
4. Does Medusa arouse your sympathy? Explain why or why not.

5. Making Connections Describe the role of fate in Beowulf and in “Medusa’s Story.” How are Beowulf’s
and Medusa’s responses to fate different?
Listening and Speaking
Use library resources or the Internet to find a copy of the Greek myth on which “Medusa’s Story” is based.
Compare and contrast the portrayal of Medusa in the two works. Then share your findings in a brief oral
report to your class.

edited by
Minnie
The Woman with the Big
Postma
Thumbnail
from
Tales of the Basotho
Before You Read
Focus Question
Many folktales tell about monsters. What do the monsters in folktales have in common?
Background
Virtually all cultures have legends about man-eating monsters. This African folktale describes a legendary
monster who has a unique way of killing people. The tale is an old one that has been handed down from
one generation of Basotho to the next.
1. Why is Sechakatane so lonely?
2. How does Sechakatane meet Bulane?
3. How do Bulane and his men manage to kill Machakatane?

4. What evidence is there in the story that the tale has been conveyed orally from generation to
generation?
5. Making Connections What similarities do you see in “The Woman with the Big Thumbnail” and
Beowulf?
Performing
Practice reading “The Woman with the Big Thumbnail” aloud. Pay attention to the natural rhythms of
speech it captures and vary the rate and pitch of your voice to express the varying tones of the story. Then
read the story aloud to your class.
Beowulf Study Guide Test 33

TEST: Beowulf
Recall and Interpret (40 points total; 5 points each)
A. Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. Beowulf and his warriors journey to Denmark primarily to

a. seek fame and fortune c. avenge his father’s death
b. overthrow Hrothgar d. vanquish an evil monster
2. Unferth challenges Beowulf’s bravery because
a. Unferth feels threatened c. Grendel is Unferth’s secret ally
b. Unferth is jealous of Beowulf d. Beowulf calls him a coward
3. Beowulf’s guiding philosophy is
a. fame and glory are fleeting c. a good name is better than gold
b. pride goeth before a fall d. an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
4. Hrothgar is grief stricken because
a. Grendel kills Welthow c. his trusted aide is killed
b. his father was killed in battle d. his kingdom is lost
5. Beowulf slays Grendel’s mother with
a. his bare hands c. Hrothgar’s sword
b. Unferth’s sword d. a sword in the monster’s den
6. Which of the following is NOT a conflict advanced in Beowulf?
a. good versus evil c. youth versus old age
b. courage versus cowardice d. rich versus poor
7. Beowulf becomes King of the Geats when
a. Herdred is killed in an act of revenge c. Higlac dies in battle
b. Higd offers him the throne d. Herdred steps down
8. Wiglaf reproaches his fellow warriors because
a. they failed to kill the dragon c. they did not honor Beowulf’s dying wish
b. they deserted Beowulf in battle d. they stole the dragon’s treasures

Evaluate and Connect (60 points total; 30 points each)
B. Answer any two of the following essay questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. How does the following warning from Hrothgar apply to Beowulf? Give examples from the poem to
support your answer.
. . . The world is God’s, He allows
A man to grow famous, and his family rich,
Gives him land and towns to rule
And delight in, lets his kingdom reach
As far as the world runs—and who
In human unwisdom, in the middle of such power,
Remembers that it all will end, and too soon?
Prosperity, prosperity, prosperity: nothing
Troubles him, no sickness, not passing time,
No sorrows, no sudden war breaking
Out of nowhere, but all the world turns
When he spins it. How can he know when he sins?
34 Test Beowulf Study Guide

TEST: Beowulf (continued)

2. Explain why Beowulf may be said to exemplify the epic hero.
3. Examine the structure of Beowulf. In what ways are the prologue and conclusion similar? How do
these similarities help unify the poem?
4. What is the theme, or central idea, of Beowulf? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.
5. Critic W. P. Ker evaluated Beowulf this way:
The great beauty, the real value . . . is in its dignity of style. In construction it is curiously weak, in a sense
preposterous; for while the main story is simplicity itself, the merest commonplace of heroic legend, all about it, in
the historic allusions, there are revelations of a whole world of tragedy, plots different in import from that of
Beowulf, more like the tragic themes of Iceland. . . . The thing itself is cheap; the moral and spirit of it can only
be matched among the noblest of authors.
What aspect of Beowulf is Ker criticizing when he calls the work “preposterous”? Do you agree? Why
or why not?
Beowulf Study Guide Test 35

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