Beowulf Worksheet

Name _________________________________

Beowulf Worksheet

Work will be checked. Answers must be in complete sentences.

The Wrath of Grendel (ll. 1-103)

1. (ll. 1-29)

What makes Grendel angry? __________________________________

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What does the author tell us about Grendel by relating him to Cain?

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What is the Beowulf poet saying about evil in lines 25-29?

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2. (ll.30-58) What effect did Grendel’s attack have on Hrothgar and the Danes?

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3. (ll. 59-78) What is synecdoche? Identify the example in these lines and explain why it is important.

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How has Grendel extended his attack on the Danes?

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4. (ll. 79-104) Why was Grendel unable to attack Hrothgar?

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In what sense is Hrothgar’s heart “bent”?

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5. (ll. 85-86) Describe the reaction of the Danish Council of Wisemen to Grendel’s continued attacks.

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The Coming of Beowulf (ll. 104-284)

6. (ll. 109-143) What leadership qualities does Beowulf have in these lines?

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Give specific adjectives and words and phrases to support those qualities.

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How do the Geats feel about Beowulf? How do their wise men feel about him?

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7. (ll. 144-171) What is the job of the “Danish watcher”?

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How does the watcher greet the Geats? __________________________________________________________

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What is his first impression of Beowulf before the hero even speaks?

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8. (ll. 172-198) How does Beowulf introduce himself?

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What does Beowulf announce as his purpose in coming to Denmark?

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9. (ll. 198-212) What is the watcher’s attitude towards Beowulf in these lines?

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10. (ll. 213-227) Beowulf and his men move towards Herot.

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11. (ll. 229-284) What does Beowulf reveal about himself in these lines addressed to Hrothgar?

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Again, identify adjectives that could be used to describe the hero and give words, phrases, and other evidence to support your selections.

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Paraphrase ll. 260-269.

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The Battle with Grendel (ll. 285-410)

12. (285-324) Describe Grendel’s approach to Herot in these lines.

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How does his attitude differ here from his first entrance to Herot in ll. 30-58? __________________________________________________________

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Define foreshadowing and identify examples of foreshadowing found in these lines. __________________________________________________________

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What is Beowulf plan in attacking Grendel?

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13. (ll. 325-341) What kennings are used to describe Grendel in these lines? __________________________________________________________

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What happens to Grendel in these lines? What is his reaction to Beowulf’s attack?

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14. (ll. 342-365) Describe the nature of the battle.

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What words and phrases capture the battle’s violence?

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15. (ll. 365-420) What do Beowulf’s men do during the battle?

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How does this illustrate the comitatus?

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Why is their action useless?

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How does Beowulf defeat Grendel? What is publicly displayed as a symbol of Beowulf’s victory?

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Diction is the author’s choice of words. Words like joyful, celebrate, feast, and generosity would suggest a happy mood. Other selections of words can suggest others moods.

The Monsters’ Lair (ll. 411-448)

1. What diction sets the mood of this scene? List specific words.

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2. Tell the story of the deer and its actions. What does this show?

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The Battle with Grendel’s Mother (ll. 449-622)

3. How is Grendel’s mother a more difficult opponent for Beowulf than Grendel was?

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b.____________________________________________________________

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4. By the time Beowulf gets to her lake cave how is he at a distinct disadvantage in fighting Grendel’s mother?

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5. At what specific points in the battle is it clear that Beowulf might be evenly matched? Give quotes and lines.

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6. Where are Beowulf’s warriors and the Danes during his fight with Grendel’s mother?

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What is it that concerns them as they see as they watch the lake?

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7. What is their interpretation of what they see? What has actually occurred?

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8. How has the comitatus changed in this battle?

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9. What does Beowulf take as a “souvenir” of the battle?

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10. How does delivering this souvenir to Hrothgar prove Beowulf’s strength?

Terms to know:

alliteration

allusion

atmosphere

diction

epic

foreshadowing

heroic ideal

juxtaposition

kenning

lyric

metaphor

mood

scop

simile

synecdoche

thane