Beowulf:
Lines 1-370 Questions
1. Why is Hrothgars lineage given?
The lineage is given to show that Hrothgar is really in the family of kings past, and shows that Grendel goes back to Cain in the bible.

2. Why is Grendels lineage given?


3. What is Herot?


4. Why did Hrothgar build Herot?


5. Why did Herot lay empty for 12 years?


6. Why did Grendel attack Herot?


7. Why hasnt Hrothgar rid Herot of Grendel?

8. Why does Beowulf come to Denmark?


9. Why does the sentry personally lead Beowulf and his men to Herot after hearing their reason for coming to Denmark?


10. Why does Wulfgar, the herald, urge Hrothgar to see Beowulf?


Lines 371835 Questions
1. How does Hrothgar know of Beowulf?


2. What information does Beowulfs greeting to Hrothgar include?


3. What are the activities at the feast?


4. How does Unferth taunt Beowulf?

5. What is Beowulfs response to Unferths taunts?


6. How does Welthow react to Beowulf?


7. Why does Beowulf meet Grendel bare-handed?


8. How may Grendels attack be described?


9. Why are the Geats weapons useless when they rush to Beo-wulfs aid?


10. What is done with the prize of the battle?


Lines 8361,250 Questions
1. Why do the crowds come to Herot?


2. What is the song of Siegmund?


3. Who is Hermod?


4. How does Hrothgar express his gratitude to Beowulf?


5. How does Beowulf describe the battle with Grendel when speaking to Hrothgar?


6. What is the song of Finn?


7. What is it Welthow tells Hrothgar when the songs are finished?


8. What does she say to Beowulf?


9. What is to happen to Herot once this feast is over?


10. What are the soldiers sleeping arrangements?



Lines 1,2511,650 Questions
1. What happens the first night the Danes return to sleep in Herot?


2. Why does Grendels mother flee from Herot?


3. Why does Hrothgar send for Beowulf?


4. How does Beowulf respond to Hrothgars request?


5. Where does Hrothgar lead Beowulf?


6. How may the lake containing Grendels mother and her lair be described?


7. Why is Beowulf careful to wear his armor?


8. How does Unferths behavior toward Beowulf change now?


9. How does Beowulf attempt to save his life when he realizes his weapons and helmet are ineffective?


10. What are Hrothgar and his soldiers doing while Beowulf battles Grendels mother?


Lines 1,6511,887 Questions
1. What is the sign of victory Beowulf gives to Hrothgar?


2. How does Beowulf feel his life was saved?


3. What does Hrothgar do when Beowulf gives him the sword hilt?


4. What happened to the magical giants who made the sword?


5. What is the story of Hermod?


6. What, specifically, is Hrothgar warning Beowulf about in telling this story?


7. What is the occasion for Unferths visit?


8. What promises does Beowulf make as he takes his leave of Hrothgar?


9. Hrothgar says he is pleased with Beowulf for what reasons?


10. Why does Hrothgar weep?


Lines 1,8882,220 Questions
1. What does Beowulf give the boat watcher?


2. How are the Geats greeted once they arrive home?


3. What is the story of Thrith?


4. Why didnt Higlac initially allow Beowulf to go to Hrothgars aid when they first heard of the monsters threatening Herot?


5. What is Beowulfs opinion of Hrothgars plan concerning Ingeld and Freaw?


6. What is the heritage of the gifts Beowulf gives Higlac from Hrothgar?


7. What gift does Higlac bestow upon Beowulf?


8. At what point in the family lineage does Beowulf agree to assume the throne of Geatland?


9. How long does Beowulf rule peacefully?


10. What breaks the peace during Beowulfs kingship?


Lines 2,2212,601 Questions
1. How did the tower come to be the dragons lair?


2. Why does the dragon burn down the Geats homes?


3. What is Beowulfs reaction to this?


4. What does he order made for his battle with the dragon?


5. How is Herbald killed?


6. What does Beowulf say in his farewell speech to his followers?


7. How does Beowulf call the dragon?


8. How does the dragon respond to this?


9. Why does Beowulf lose the battle?


10. Where are his followers as he is losing the battle?


Lines 2,6023,057 Questions
1. How did Wiglaf come to own his armor?


2. Why does Wiglaf go to Beowulfs aid?


3. How is Beowulf mortally wounded?


4. How do the two men kill the dragon?


5. What is it Beowulf asks of Wiglaf after he is wounded?


6. When Wiglaf returns from fulfilling Beowulfs request, what further request is made of him by Beowulf?


7. What does Wiglaf say to Beowulfs followers when they return?


8. What is the message he sends with the herald to the people?


9. What is the Swedes argument with the Geats?


10. What is it the warriors see that causes them to weep?


Lines 3,0583,182 Questions
1. What does Wiglaf vainly attempt to tell Beowulf before he seeks the dragon?


2. According to Wiglaf, what are Beowulfs post-mortem instructions?


3. Who is to bring wood for Beowulfs funeral?


4. Why does Wiglaf bring the seven noblest Geats to the dragons treasure?


5. What is done with the dragons corpse?


6. How may the Geatish kings funeral pyre be described?


7. What do the Geats do as the fire is burning?


8. How long does it take to build the tomb Beowulf has asked for?


9. Why do 12 of the bravest Geats ride around the tower?


10. In the closing lines of the poem, how does the poet describe Beowulf?