Beowulf Part 1 Guided Reading

Describe Beowulf's boasts upon meeting Hrothgar, King of the Danes. (6)

Beowulf greets Hrothgar by amusing 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.

Why is Grendel described as being "born of Cain"? (1)

He is a desendant of Cain, and Cain was banished by God for murdering his brother.

How long does Grendel haunt Herot? (2)

Twelve winters

Describe what transpires in the mead hall to evoke the anger of the monster. (1)

the music in the hall, the song of the poet retelling the history of the Danes, and the sounds of rejoicing.

Who is Siegmund? Why is his story recounted? (13)

Sigmund was a legendary hero to the Danes. Tales of his exploits were passed down through generations. Beowulf's victory over Grendel was likened to Sigmund's great feats.

How were the bodies of the dead disposed of in Anglo-Saxon times? (16)

Burned on a funeral pyre

What one request does Beowulf make of Hrothgar? (6)

Beowulf asks Hrothgar to allow him and his men alone to drive Grendel from Herot.

Beowulf and his men move into Herot for the night while Hrothgar sleeps peacefully. What is Beowulf's boast? (10)

Beowulf boasts that he will defeat Grendel with his bare hands.

How does Beowulf react when he hears of the plight of the Danes and Hrothgar? (3)

Beowulf selects the bravest of soldiers in Geatland and travels across the seas to help. Beowulf and his men move into Herot for the night while Hrothgar sleeps peacefully. Beowulf boasts that he will defeat Grendel with his bare hands.

What happens when Beowulf's men attack Grendel? (12)

Beowulf shouts at them to get back, saying he has Grendel under control.

If Beowulf loses the battle with Grendel, what are his instructions for after his death? (6)

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.

Why does Beowulf describe himself by recounting his heritage? Why has he come? (4)

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.

Beowulf continues with his story, countering Unferth's tale. How does his tale end? (9)

Bewoulf explains that he killed many monsters and challenged Unferth to find any man- Brecca included - who could match his bravery.

What is Beowulf's response to Unferth? (8)

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.

What were Hrothgar's gifts to Beowulf for removing the threat of Grendel to the Danes? (15)

Given a golden banner, a coat of mail, and an ancient sword.

At the conclusion of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, what transpires? (12)

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.

How does Grendel respond when he comes to Herot? Describe his reaction to seeing the sleeping Geats. (11)

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.

Why does Hrothgar decide to build a mighty hall? What does he call it? Describe this hall. (1)

He built it as a place for his warriors to gather and called it "Herot." It is constructed of timber and gilded in gold and described as "the foremost of halls under heaven."

Describe the struggle that ensues between Beowulf and Grendel. (11)

Herot trembles as Beowulf and Grendel fight to the death. Beowulf causes Grendel to shriek in agonizing pain.

Upon seeing Grendel's bloody arm swinging high from the "gold-shining roof" of Herot, what is Hrothgar's proclamation? (14)

Hrothgar is so overjoyed at the sight of Grendel's amputated arm and its implications, he makes Beowulf his own son and vows to forever preserve the peace between their people.

How did Hrothgar become king? What is his past relationship to the Geats? (7)

Hrothgar's older brother, Hergar, was king and died, making Hrothgar king. Hrothgar worked with Beowulf's father, Edgetho, to secure an earlier peace.

Why did the Danes sleep with their armor on? (18)

It was the custom for the Danes to be ready for war.

Hrothgar's herald greets Beowulf and his men. According to the herald, what distinguishes Beowulf's visit from those of others who have come before him? (5)

None of the others ever brought all their best soldiers to assist Hrothgar.

What is the purpose of the feast that Hrothgar hosts in Beowulf's honor? (7)

The feast is to honor Beowulf and his men before they head off to face Grendel.

Describe the lake into which Grendel vanished. (13)

The lake/marsh into which Grendel vanished was steaming and boiling with blood, and it was very wavy.

What do Beowulf's men think of their chances against Grendel? (10)

The men believe they will never see their homeland again, that they will be defeated by Grendel.

How does the watchman respond to Beowulf's explanation of why they have come to the rescue of the Danes? (4)

The watchmen believes Beowulf and decides to escort him, himself, to the court of Hrothgar.

On the morning following the battle, describe the reactions of Hrothgar's people. (13)

They rejoiced with no sense of remorse for the monster's suffering

To what measures do Hrothgar and his nobles resort to rid themselves of Grendel? (2)

They resort to sacrificing to "the old stone gods" and "hoping for Hell's support" to rid themselves of Grendel.

Identify Unferth. Why does he seem to be perplexed by Beowulf's stories? How does he address Beowulf? (8)

Unferth is a danish nobleman who is angry that any warrior anywhere has achieved greater glory than he has. Unferth call Beowulf a "boastful fool".

Describe Unferth's tale of the swimming competition between Brecca and Beowulf. (8)

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.

Describe Unferth's reaction to seeing the arm of Grendel. (14)

Upon seeing Grendel's arm, Unferth stops bragging, and he grows quiet, silenced by Beowulf's bravery.

What gifts does Welthow give to Beowulf at the feast? What are her words to Beowulf about her sons? (18)

Welthow gave Beowulf a mail shirt, golden armbands, and "the most beautiful necklace known to men." She asks Beowulf to lend her two sons his wise and gentle heart.

Describe Welthow. (9)

Welthow is Hrothgar's "gold-ringed Queen." She is described as a noble woman who knows "what is right."

What gifts does Hrothgar give to Beowulf's men? (16)

a golden banner, a coat of mail, an ancient sword, and horses

Why has Grendel been exiled? (1)

all monsters, goblins, and forms of evil are condemned to live beneath the earth by God

Why doesn't Grendel attack Hrothgar? (2)

because he didn't have God on his side. Hrothgar is a king who is protected by God

What happens during Grendel's first visit to Herot? When does this occur? Describe the scene. (2)

he finds Hrothgar's men asleep in the Herot. He kills thirty men. This happened during the night after the men were partying.

What is Hrothgar's declaration to Beowulf at the end of Chapter 9? (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."