| Why does Hrothgar decide to build a mighty hall? What does he call it? | After Hrothgar led the Danes to victory, he commemorated his victory by building a mighty mead hall. He called the hall Herot. |
| What transpired in the mead hall to evoke the anger of the monster? | The monster dweeling down in the darkness is angered by the music in the hall, by the song of the poet retelling the history of the Danes, and by the sounds of rejoicing. |
| What is Grendel’s lineage? | Grendel described as being spawned in slime by two of the monsters who were descendants of the Biblical character, Cain, who was banished from God for committing the murder of his brother, Abel. |
| Why has Grendel been exiled? | Grendel has been exiled, together with all monsters, goblins, and forms of evil-by the Almighty- condemned to live beneath the earth. |
| What happens during Grendel’s first visit to Herot? When does this occur? | Grendel finds Hrothgar’s men asleep in the Herot. He snatches up thrity me, smashes them, and runs out with their bodies |
| How long does Grendel haunt Herot? | Twelve winters |
| Why doesn’t Grendel attack Hrothgar? | Hrothgar is protected by God. |
| How does Beowulf react when he hears of the plight of the Danes and Hrothgar? | Beowulf selects the bravest of soldiers in Geatland and travels across the seas to help. |
| Why does Beowulf introduce himself by recounting his heritage? Why has he come? | Beowulf wants to impress those who do not know him, assert his authority so others will follow him into battle against Grendel, and make clear to all present that he alone deserves the honor of killing the monster. |
| Describe Beowulf’s boasts upon meeting Hrothgar, king of the Danes. | Beowulf greets Hrothgar by regailing him with stories of his great strength and prior exploits. Beowulf drove giants into chains and chased them from the earth, and has hunted monsters out of the ocean. |
| What one request does Beowulf make of Hrothgar? | Beowulf asks Hrothgar to allow him and his men alone to drive Grendel from Herot. |
| If Beowulf loses the battle with Grendel, what are his instructions for after his death? | Beowulf tell Hrothgar that if Grendel defeats him, the Danish king should send the mail of his armor to Higlac, and return the inheritance he had from Hrethel. |
| How did Hrothgar become king? What is the past relationship to the Geats? | Hrothgar’s older brother, Hergar, was king and died, making Hrothgar king. Hrothgar worked with Beowulf’s father, Edgetho, to secure an earlier peace. |
| What is the purpose of the feast that Hrothgar hosts in Beowulf’s honor? | The feast is to honor Beowulf and his men before they head off to face Grendel. |
| Why does Unferth seem to be perplexed by Beowulf’s stories? How does he address Beowulf? | Unferth is a Danish nobleman who is angry that any warrior anywhere has achieved greater glory than he has. Enferth call Beowulf a “boastful fool”. |
| Describe Unferth’s tale of the swimming competition between Brecca and Beowulf. | Unferth tells the story of a swimming competition between Beowulf and Brecca that lasted for seven long nights and ended with the sea carrying Brecca home to victory – not far from the shores of his native Norway. |
| What is Beowulf’s version of the swimming competition with Brecca? | Bewoulf recounts that he swam side by side with Brecca for five nights until a storm carried him away where he was attacked by sea monsters. He killed nine monsters before washing up on a Finnish beach. |
| Who is Welthow? How is she described? | Welthow is Hrothgar’s “gold-ringed Queen.” She is described as a noble woman who knows “what is right.” |
| What is Hrothgar’s declaration to Beowulf at the end of Chapter 9? | Hrothgar pledges his life-long friendship to Bewoulf, declaring that “wheresoever you go, wheresoever I am, should you need help, my friend, I will be there.” |
| How does Grendel respond when he comes to Herot? Describe his reaction to seeing the sleeping Geats. | Grendel tears the hinges off the door at Herot and is thrilled at the sight of the sleep Geats- expecting to fill his belly with their meat. |
| Describe the struggles between Beowulf and Grendel. | Herot trembles as Beowulf and Grendel fight to the death. Beowulf’s prowess causes Grendel to shriek in agonizing pain. |
| At the conclusion of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, What transpires? | Grendel is no match for Beowulf, who rips the monster’s arm from its socket and leaves Grendel mortally wounded, running back to his cave. |
| Describe the lake into which Grendel vanished. | The lake into which Grendel vanished was steaming and boiling with blood, and it was very wavy. |
Beowul ReviewQuestions
February 22, 2020