| Why is Hrothgars lineage given? | To show good vs evil |
| Why is Grendals lineage given? | To show good vs evil |
| What is Herot? | A mead hall built by Hrothgar |
| Why did Hrothgar build Herot? | protection for people and to celebrate |
| Why did Herot lay empty for 12 years? | Grendal attacked all the warriors at night |
| Why did Grendal attack Herot? | he was lonely and an outcast and got upset from all the joy and celebrations |
| Why hasn’t Hrothgar rid Herot of Grendel? | He doesn’t know how to destroy him |
| Why does Beowulf come to Denmark? | To help Hrothgar kill Grendel |
| Why does the sentry personally lead Beowulf and his men to Herot after hearing their reason for coming to Denmark? | He tells him all about himself and how they will help Hrothgar to defeat Grendel |
| Why does Wulfgar, the herald, urge Hrothgar to see Beowulf? | Wulfgar was impressed by Beowulf’s confidence and the appearance of his men, so he welcomed the visitors and encouraged Hrothgar to meet them. |
| How does Hrothgar know of Beowulf? | He was friends with Beowulfs father |
| What information does Beowulf’s greeting to Hrothgar include? | he is a strong soldier, who has won many battles, and he wants and will kill Grendel |
| What are the activities at the feast? | the Danes give up their seats for Guests, singing, drinking, MEAD |
| How does Unferth taunt Beowulf? | says Beowulf lost his swimming race and calls him a “Boastful fool” and he won’t be able to win against Grendel |
| What is Beowulf’s response to Unferth’s taunts? | calls him drunk and insults him, and defends himself |
| How does Welthow react to Beowulf? | He thinks Beowulf comes to answer all their prayers |
| Why does Beowulf meet Grendel bare-handed? | Beowulf believes he’s stronger and if the dragon has no weapons he won’t either |
| How may Grendel’s attack be described? | gruesome, sneak attack |
| Why are Geats’ weapons useless when they rush to Beowulf’s aid? | Grendel casted a spell to render them useless |
| What is done with the prize of the battle? | Grendels arm is hung in Herot |
| What happens the first night the Danes return to sleep in Herot? | Grendel’s mother attacks |
| Why does Grendel’s mother flee from Herot? | overpowered but takes one man |
| Why does Hrothgar send for Beowulf? | to ask him to defeat Grendel’s mother |
| How does Beowulf respond to Hrothgar’s request? | he accepts (with some fear) |
| Where does Hrothgar lead Beowulf? | To the mere |
| How may the lake containing Grendel’s mother and her lair be described? | Blood shot, redness, very deal, bloody, other monsters and reptiles inside it |
| Why is Beowulf careful to wear his armor? | To protect the body from her claws |
| How does Unferth’s behavior toward Beowulf change now? | he gives Beowulf respect and loyalty |
| How does beowulf attempt to save his life when he realizes his weapons and helmet are ineffective? | Finds a sword and slices the mothers head off |
| What are Hrothgar and his soldiers doing while Beowulf battles Grendels mother? | they leave and assume that he died |
| What does Beowulf do to the mother? | Decapitates the mom chops Grendels head off and the sword melts |
| How long does Beowulf rule the Geats? | 50 years |
| What breaks the peace? | a dragon attacks his land |
| How did the tower come to be the dragons lair? | it was built to hide treasure |
| Why does the dragon burn down the Geats homes? | someone stole a cup from his treasure |
| What is Beowulfs reaction to this? | he attacks |
| What does he order made for his battle with the dragon? | a special shield made |
| What does Beowulf say is his farewell speech to his followers? | he wants an heir |
| How does Beowulf call the dragon? | to face him on open ground |
| how does the dragon respond? | throws fiery breath at him |
| Why does Beowulf lose? | the dragon bites him in the neck |
| Where are his followers as he loses? | they ran away except Wiglaf |
| Why does wiglaf come to own his armor? | kept it because it was his fathers |
| Why does wiglaf go to Beowulfs aid? | remembers that he shouldn’t leave him– is loyal |
| How is Beowulf mortally wounded? | the dragon bites his neck |
| How do the two men kill the dragon? | stabs it in the belly and the flank |
| What is it Beowulf asks of Wiglaf after he is wounded? | to see the treasure before he dies |
| What does Beowulf name Wiglaf? | his heir |
Beowulf Study Guide
February 24, 2020