Beowulf Questions

Why does Beowulf begin and end with a funeral? What does this reveal about one of the themes of the myth?

Beowulf begins and ends with a funeral because it shows the nature of life coming full circle. Death is inevitable and that's what both of the funerals show. This reveals the theme of the circle of life.

Does Beowulf live in a time of peace or war? Support your answer with details.

Beowulf lives in a time of war because he is constantly facing battles throughout the story. He fights Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon.

In the Beowulf epic, the swords of the heroes have names, but the slaves remain anonymous. What does this reveal about the vaalues of these people? What other heroes possess famous swords?

The swords were given names because they were property of the most popular heros. The reason that the slaves did not have names was because those people were considered insignifcant during that time period. One hero that possesses a famous sword would be King Arthur.

What purpose does Unferth's drunken welcoming speech serve? Does it matter that Unferth is also a hero? Explain. Consider Beowulf's response. Which speech is more important? Why?

Unferth is jealous of Beowulf so he tries to scare him off by saying he might not survive the battle with Grendel. It does matter that Unferth is also a hero because he is the foremost fighter of the Spear-Danes yet he is too scared to battle Grendel. Beowulf's speech is more important because he explains that Grendel is eating and killing whoever he chooses because he was no warriors to fear in their land, but now that the Storm-Geats are here Grendel will finally have a true battle.

Why does the Beowulf poet not describe the appearance of Grendel and his mother? Should he have done so? Why or why not?

Grendel and his mother's appearances are not described in the poet because he wanted to make the story universal and so it would not dehumanized the characters.

Why does Beowulf permit Grendel to kill one of his warriors? Is his decision wise? Is it heroic? Why or why not? What would you have done? Why?

Beowulf allowed Grendel to kill one of his warriors to make his plan seem more believable. This is not a wise or heroic decision because it makes it seem like Beowulf did not care about human life. I would have come up with another way instead of sacrificing one of my warriors.

Why does the Beowulf poet make Grendel's mother stronger and more difficult to kill than her son? What effect does this have on Beowulf's heroism and the myth?

Grendel's mother is more difficult to kill than her son because Beowulf needed to overcome new challenges to be considered the hero of this epic. This adds strength to Beowulf's name and the myth.

Why does Beowulf kill monsters instead of men? Consider the heroic effect of each option.

Beowulf kills monsters instead of men because he is depicted as a hero and protecter of the people. Waging war against monsters with super strength and vast skills in battle displays a higher honor onto Beowulf.

If Hrothgar had not honored Beowulf for killing Grendel, would Beowulf have killed Grendels mother? Why or why not? Should a hero perform a second great deed if he has not been honored for the first one? Why or why not?

I believe that Beowulf would have still went and killed Grendel's mother because he is the hero/protagonist of the story and more likely to kill all the forces of evil. A hero should still do a deed even if they are not honored the first time because they are considered a hero for a reason. A hero is called a hero because they are willing to sacrifice theirselves to save mankind.

The Beowulf poet presents segments from Beowulf's life in his youth and as an old man. How did he decide which incidents to include and what to omit?

The poet wanted to flashback to scenes that shaped him into to the heroic man he is in the scences of present time.

Compare Beowulf as a young man and as an old man. How is he the same? How has he changed?

Beowulf as a young man was strong, undefeatable, brave, and courageous. Beowulf as an old man was brave, courageous, not as strong, and defeatable. Beowulf remained brave and courageous throughout all of his battles; however, as he got older he became less strong because his body was wearing out and he became defeatable because in his last battle he was killed.

Beowulf's relationship to Hrothgar in the first part of the epic is similar to Wiglaf's relationship to beowulf in the second part. Explain. How is Beowulf different from Wiglaf as a young man and different from Hrothgar as an old man?

Hrothgar and Wiglaf both trusted in Beowulf. Wiglaf and Beowulf differ due to their confidence levels. Hrothgar and Beowulf differ due to courageousness.

Why does Beowulf ignore the advice of his nobles and insist on fighting the dragon: (a) desire for glory? (b) fame? (c) wealth? (d) need to prove his courage? (e) strength? (f)heroism? (g) desire or need to protect his people? Is his decision wise? Why or why not?

Beowulf insists on fighting the dragon for both heroism and the need to protect his people. His decision is wise because his skills are good enough to go up against ther dragon and the fate of his people are at stake.

Why does the Beowulf poet make Beowulf's men desert him? Does this enhance or detract from Beowulf's heroic image. Defend your view.

The poet makes Beowulf's men desert him because they are not as strong or as brave as Beowulf is. This definitely enhances Beowulf's heroic image because it shows that no one will ever be a better warrior/hero than Beowulf.

Why do Beowulf's men desert him when they know their responsibilities to their king and the punishment for shirking those responsibilities? What would you have done? Why?

They are not epic heroes and they are not as brave as Beowulf. His men are not consistently ethical or true to their sense of fate. They are only men while Beowulf is one who puts his all into everything he does and is always willing to give up his life for anyone at anytime.

Why does Beowulf die in his fight against the dragon: a) his age? b) his fear of death? c) his lack of self-confidence? d) his poor weapons? e) his poor judgement? Disscuss the possible role of each in the outcome of the battle?

Beowulf dies in his fight against the dragon because of his age. He had reigned for a long time and defeated many monsters so the poet felt it was his time to pass. In each role the dragon would have killed Beowulf or Beowulf would have run away. Either way the kingdom would replace him from the throne because they would grief and need a new leader or they would be disappointed and mad because of his cowardness.

How does Beowulf's attitude toward death change as he ages? Why? Does his attitude affect his battle against each of the three monsters? If so, how? Does his fear enhance or detract from his heroic image?

Beowulf's attitude towards death is more accepting the older he gets because he knows death is bound to take him at some point. His attitude affects his battle by making him braver because he accepts that he could die at any given point. His fear enhances his heroic image because he is still willingly able to go up against the monsters in battle.

What kind of person is Beowulf? What tests of character confront him? To what extent does he pass them? Which temptations does he resist, and which does he find irresistible? Why? How does his behavior affect his heroic image?

Beowulf is brave, courageous, and powerful. Strength and willingness are big test that Beowulf take throughout the story while he makes it through his first couple battles he fails to find a way out of the last. His bravery gets him a long way and capitalizes his name.

How does the Beowulfs poet use light and darkness as symbols of good and evil? Find examples to support your point of view.

Light symbolized good while darkness symbolized evil. Grendel lived in the outer darkness and only came out at night, this is an example of darkness representing evil. The hall is a place for the warriors to come together and celebrate, bringing light, warmth, and joy.

What is the Beowulf poet's attitude toward gold? Explain whether wealth is good or evil.

The poet's attitude toward gold is negative because it is depicted that whereever their is wealth there destruction and death. When the slave took the gold cup the dragon attacked Beowulf's kingdom. The beautiful warrior hall was attacked countless times.