Wednesday, January 31st

Study Questions for ll. 301-1271

Belief Systems
15. According to Hrothgar, why is Beowulf there?
16. What does Beowulf mean by “Fate goes ever as fate must” (455)?
17. Look at the stanza which runs from ll. 473-79. In what/whom does Hrothgar believe?

Friendship
18. What kind of words does Unferth speak?
19. What story does Unferth cite when challenging Beowulf? Describe it.
20. How does Beowulf respond to Unferth’s challenge?

The Role of Women in the Poem
21. Who is Wealhtheow? What does she do when she enters?

The Battle with Grendel
22. What will Beowulf use to defeat Grendel?
23. Describe, ever so briefly, the battle between Beowulf and Grendel.
24. How do Beowulf’s men help him?
25. What does Beowulf get from Grendel that is proof he has defeated him?
26. Where does Grendel go to die?

Stories within Stories
27. Describe the man who appears in ll. 866-873. What does he do to honor Beowulf and why?
Honor, Fame, and Riches
28. How does Hrothgar thank Beowulf?
29. What does Hrothgar say about Bewoulf’s mother?
30. What do Danes and Geats do to Heorot (990- ?)? What do they do next?

Heorot Continued
31. Fill in the blank: “Inside Heorot / There was nothing but ________” (1016-17).
32. What kind of gifts are bestowed on Beowulf?

Another Song
33. The man who sang of Siegmund’s and Beowulf’s greatness sings again. What, in very general
terms, is the second song about?

The Role of Women
34. What does Hrothgar’s Queen say as a toast?