from Beowulf Answers 

Page 22 Questions and Answers 

ANNOTATE: Mark the repeated word in lines 67–73. 

As I read these lines, I see that the word no is repeated over and over in lines 69 and 70.

QUESTION: Why might an author choose to repeat a word in such rapid succession? 

I realize the author wants to emphasize the word and have its meaning be a dominant theme in this section of the epic. The men can offer nothing to make Grendel stop killing.

CONCLUDE: What does the repetition here reveal about Grendel?

I think that the repetition of no reveals that Grendel is killing for no reason except for the love of killing. No one can change his behavior except by killing him.

Page 24 Questions and Answers 

ANNOTATE: Mark two details in lines 151–171 that show what the watchman finds unusual about the arrival of Beowulf and his men. 

I mark phrases in lines 158–164 that describe how the watchman reacts to Beowulf. What surprises the watchman?

QUESTION: What do these details suggest about the threats the Danes face and the personal qualities they value? 

Why does the author include those details? I think they make Beowulf seem larger than life and impressive, almost threatening.

CONCLUDE: What is the effect of describing Beowulf’s arrival from the point of view of the watchman?

I think the observations of the watchman as Beowulf arrives, who feels he is bigger than life, more beautiful, and better armed than anyone else, enhance the epic ideal of the legendary hero being superior to everyone.

Page 26 Questions and Answers 

ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines 235–253 that show the specific heroic deeds Beowulf recounts to Hrothgar. 

As I read, I notice heroic deeds described by Beowulf in lines 246–251.

QUESTION: What can you infer about Beowulf from the details he shares with Hrothgar? 

I think that, although the words sound boastful, Beowulf is actually assuring King Hrothgar that he can conquer Grendel. I think Beowulf’s boasts match his actions and accomplishments.

CONCLUDE: What do these details reveal about the world in which this story is set?

The words might seem immodest today, but during that time period, it was appropriate for warriors to boast about their accomplishments.

Page 28 Questions and Answers 

ANNOTATE: In English syntax, apposition may be used to rename or explain a person or thing. Mark the two identifying, appositive phrases used to rename Grendel in line 323. 

I can find two phrases that describe Grendel in line 323.

QUESTION: How do the renamings of Grendel in this line emphasize the significance of the battle that is about to begin? 

The phrases shepherd of evil and guardian of crime mean Grendel is worse than just evil or criminal. He is their leader or master. Defeating him will be difficult, but a huge accomplishment.

CONCLUDE: What is the effect of using two or more appositives in a row?

I think the renaming emphasizes that Grendel is the worst of the worst, a guardian of all bad things. This is more than a battle between a man and a monster; this is a war between good and evil.

Page 32 Questions and Answers 

ANNOTATE: Mark words and phrases in lines 477–489 that contain sound devices and parallel structures. 

As I read, I notice words and phrases that have a musical quality.

QUESTION: What effect might these word choices have had on listeners? 

I think the addition of these sound devices makes the text rich in sound.

CONCLUDE: In what way does the language of the story help make it memorable for both the storyteller and the audience?

The language brings the action to life.

Page 39 Questions and Answers 

ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines 743–770 that show what Beowulf’s men were like in the beginning and how they changed. 

As I read lines 743–770, I look for details that compare what Beowulf’s men were like in the beginning with what they were like later. I read that Beowulf’s followers were celebrating and boasting about how brave they would all be when Beowulf needed them, that he was generous, and that they all swore to repay him.

QUESTION: How have Beowulf’s men, with the exception of Wiglaf, changed? 

These details show that the men, except for Wiglaf, ran when Beowulf finally needed their help.

CONCLUDE: How do these contrasting details help the reader better understand Beowulf’s dilemma?

The contrast between the men’s initial celebration and later desertion shows that they are not the heroes that Beowulf is.

Page 41 Questions and Answers 

ANNOTATE: Mark details in lines 814–828 that show how Beowulf wants to be buried and remembered. 

As I read lines 814–828, I will look for details that explain how Beowulf wants to be buried and remembered.

QUESTION: What do Beowulf’s dying wishes tell you about him? 

From Beowulf’s request and from his words, I realize that being remembered was important to individuals of his era and that fame was a way of overcoming death.

CONCLUDE: What can you conclude about the character of Beowulf, based on his last words?

I think that passing his legacy to Wiglaf is important, and he believes in the work that he and his family have done. He believes that Wiglaf can continue their mission.

Comprehension Check Page 43

Possible responses: 

1. Hrothgar is the king of the Danes; Grendel is a powerful monster who regularly attacks the mead-hall, Herot, and slaughters Hrothgar’s warriors. 

2. Beowulf comes from the land of the Geats (southern Sweden). He travels to Herot to aid Hrothgar by fighting and killing Grendel. 

3. He hangs Grendel’s arm and shoulder from the rafters. 

4. The battle takes place in the monster’s lair, which is at the bottom of a lake. Grendel’s mother is killed in the battle. 

5. Both Beowulf and the dragon are killed. 

6. Possible summary: At the mead-hall built by Hrothgar, king of the Danes, a powerful monster named Grendel creates havoc, bursting into the hall and slaughtering men. Hearing of the crisis, a brave young hero named Beowulf journeys to Denmark from his home in Geatland. Beowulf defeats and slays Grendel. Soon afterwards, the monster’s mother attacks Herot in revenge. Beowulf courageously attacks her lair at the bottom of a lake and, after a fearsome struggle, manages to kill her. Returning to Geatland, Beowulf assumes the kingship and rules wisely and well for fifty years. In his old age, a dragon threatens the peace of the kingdom. Resolving to slay the dragon and claim its treasure, Beowulf arms once again for battle. This time, however, he succumbs to wounds and dies after slaying the beast. His subjects raise a memorial tower to his name at the edge of the sea.

Analyze the Text Page 44  Answers

Possible responses: 

1. (a) Beowulf travels to Herot because Grendel has been killing Hrothgar’s men. (b) Beowulf’s decision to go to Herot suggests that he is brave and wants to show how powerful he is and test his skill against Grendel. DOK 2 

2. Grendel is the opposite of Beowulf: the monster hates others and loves evil and suffering. Beowulf is the ideal of goodness, whereas Grendel is the personification of evil. DOK 2 

3. The fight with the dragon, like the two previous conflicts, pits the hero against a fearsome opponent. The fight with the dragon, however, is different because it ends in Beowulf’s death. DOK 2 

4. (a) There is mention of God throughout the poem: God is thanked for protection and it is said that only God could decide who would live or die. (b) Beowulf speaks of how he wants to be remembered after his death and boasts of heroic deeds. In “The Last Battle,” Beowulf says that fate will decide who wins. (c) The mix of Christian and pagan details reflects the Anglo-Saxon culture and blending a traditional tale of an epic hero with belief in God. 

5. Beowulf embodied the values of the age in which he lived. The poem reminds us that this culture valued someone who was strong, brave, wise, aware of duty, compassionate, and God-fearing. DOK 3 

6. The epic clarifies heroic traits and qualities by embodying them in a hero who exemplifies courage, duty, and strength. DOK 3

Practice Page 45 Answers 

Possible responses: 

1. (a) Beowulf is stronger than any other man on earth; the watchman who first sees him in Denmark notes that no one is greater or more beautiful. (b) When fighting the dragon, Beowulf “stared at death, unwilling to leave this world.” The hero is compelled to confront his own mortality. 

2. His accomplishments are not believable, but neither are his opponents. However, his heroic outlook is believable. Many people have fought for duty and loyalty, to free the oppressed or to bring honor to themselves, their country, or God. 

3. Grendel’s pride in his capacity to kill led the monster to slaughter for its own sake, not for a good cause. Grendel’s mother was motivated by a consuming desire for revenge. The dragon killed because it delighted in battle and wanted to protect the vast treasure it had accumulated. 

4. See possible responses in chart on student page.

Concept Vocabulary Page 46 Answers

Possible responses: 

1. Each word tells more about the monsters. A lair is a hiding place of a dangerous animal. To gorge on food means to eat it greedily or savagely. If an animal or human stalks someone, the context suggests danger or predation. A gruesome sight is ghastly or horrible. If you find someone or something loathsome, you are repelled and disgusted by it. Scorn implies contempt and anger. Finally, a writhing motion connotes pain and desperation. 

2. Other words in the selection connected to the concept include growled, haunted, slime, murderous, demons, bitter, evil, and brood (all in lines 1–29)

Practice 

Possible responses: 

1. a predatory animal 

2. disgusting; repellent 

3. to assault or do harm 

4. No; it would be horrible or frightening. 

5. Grendel and his mother are loathsome because both have evil motives for their actions. 

6. I would find out if the animal is hurt; pain might cause such movement.

Word Network 

Possible words: glorious, purge, triumphant

Word Study  

Possible responses: 

1. gruesome: causing repulsion or horror; grisly loathsome: causing hatred or disgust 

2. burdensome: burden; + suffix; onerous 

cumbersome: cumber; + suffix; awkward 

meddlesome: meddle; + suffix; interfering 

noisome: noise; + suffix; repellent, hateful

Conventions and Style Page 47 Answers

Read It

Possible responses: 

1. a. that most heartless of creatures; apposition b. engaged . . . fought . . . emerged; diazeugma c. the banquet hall of King Hrothgar; apposition 

2. Connect to style Diazeugma: Until that curving prow carries across the sea to Geatland a chosen warrior who does battle with the creature Haunting our people, who survives that horror unhurt, and goes home bearing our love. 

Possible response: The three verbs show a clear sequence of events. 

Write It 

Possible responses: 

1. Grendel’s mother, that greedy she-wolf (apposition), emerged from her lair and clutched at Beowulf (diazeugma). 

2. Just before his death, Beowulf, slayer of Grendel (apposition), removed his golden necklace and gave it to Wiglaf (diazeugma)