Beowulf Study Guide - Teacher's Key

Short Answer

Write your response to the questions in this section on the lines provided.

	1.	How can you tell that Beowulf is a legendary hero?
He is larger than life and is remembered in tales from long ago.

	2.	In Beowulf, what does the poet mean when he says that the monster’s “thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws”?
He means that the monster thinks very quickly.

	3.	What aspect of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel tells you that Beowulf is honorable?
He refuses to use weapons because Grendel uses none.

	4.	Beowulf gives Wiglaf his gold necklace. What does this gesture mean? Explain.
The gift means that Beowulf is making Wiglaf the ruler of Geatland, because the necklace is the symbol of his leadership.

	5.	In Beowulf, the poet states that the warriors, fighting Grendel, are “trying to open/A path for his evil soul”. What is the poet saying?
He is saying that the warriors are trying to kill Grendel.

	6.	In the Venn diagram below, compare and contrast the characters of Beowulf and Wiglaf. Write their differences in the parts of the circles that do not overlap. Write their similarities in the parts of the circles that overlap.
The overlapping circles should show that both men are great warriors, have royal blood, inherited wealth, are brave, loyal, and honorable, are leaders, and believe in God and fate. 
Differences may include that Beowulf is older and is a greater lord than Wiglaf.

	7.	How does the watchman’s opinion of Beowulf in lines 158-165 illustrate the warrior’s role as a legendary hero?
The watchman sees Beowulf as confident, honest, and great and observes that he carries noble weapons. These things make him seem larger than life, strong, and self-confident.

	8.	After Beowulf’s death, the Geats build a tower to memorialize him. Why is this action ironic?
It is ironic because most of the Geats deserted him in battle

	9.	What provides solace for the characters in Beowulf, according to the poet? Focus on the meaning of solace in your response.
Belief in God could provide comfort and relief for the characters in Beowulf.

	10.	Beowulf requests that he alone “purge all evil from this hall.” What does he want to do?
He wants to cleanse all evil from the hall by killing Grendel.

Essay

Extended Response

Write an extended response to the question of your choice or to the question or questions your teacher assigns you.

	11.	Many people think that Beowulf develops themes that apply to life today. Write an essay in which you explain why you agree or disagree with this idea. Describe some of the themes in Beowulf. Then tell whether the themes are important to you and explain why or why not.
Students may say that some of the themes of Beowulf, such as the fight between good and evil, the glory of generous rulers who try to help their people, and the importance of loyalty and courage, are still important. Others may say that the emphasis on physical strength and violence should not be part of today’s world. They may feel that the battle between good and evil is too simple an idea for today’s complex world.

	12.	When Grendel fights Beowulf, the reader learns that the monster’s “time had come.” What does this idea say about the Danish belief in fate? Write an essay in which you should how the belief in destiny influences the thoughts and actions of the characters. Provide examples from Beowulf to support your position.
Students should use reasons, examples, and quotations to show the Danes’ acceptance of fate. They may say that Beowulf believed he was destined to fight the monster and accepted the outcome as predetermined.

	13.	The hero of an epic poem usually embodies the ideals of conduct that are valued by the culture in which the epic was composed. Write an essay in which you show how Beowulf embodies the ideas of Anglo-Saxon culture. Mention at least four of Beowulf’s virtues, citing the part or parts of the epic in which the virtue is displayed.
Students should mention such virtues as bravery, fairness, responsibility, concern for others, piety, ambition, loyalty, and intelligence. They should point to places in the text where Beowulf exhibits the virtues they choose.

	14.	Thinking About the Big Question: Do writers influence social trends or just reflect them? Beowulf’s behavior tells readers much about the way Anglo-Saxons viewed heroism.  In an essay, explain whether you think the author of the work intended the portrayal of Beowulf as a reflection of the culture’s idea of heroism or as a lesson on how heroes should behave. Use examples from the poem to support your opinion.
Some students may feel that Beowulf’s heroism is so extreme that the author must have meant his character to be a lesson on how a hero should behave. Others may feel that Beowulf’s character reflects the type of legendary hero popular in traditional tales of the time.