Name _________________________________________

Period ____

AP English 12

Ms. Thompson

Beowulf will begin our study of the Heroic Code. During the Heroic Age, the period of the early evolution of a society, the warrior hero dominates. The epic hero Beowulf illustrates the emphasis during the Anglo-Saxon period on physical strength, determination, commitment to warfare, the acceptance of violence, loyalty to fellow warriors, and the glorification of the man of strength and courage. The dependence on the tangible, the visible, and the physical to resolve human problems is evident in the importance of wergild, the payment of material goods as retribution for the destruction of a human life. The expression of the Anglo-Saxon awareness of the inevitable deflation of the heroic ideal is the recognition of the transience of all things and of the cold reality of death.

Use these questions to help guide your reading of Beowulf.

1. What images of Grendel does the narrator use throughout the poem to portray him as an outcast from human society?

2. The textbook mentions the tension between Christianity and paganism in this poem and in Anglo-Saxon culture. As you read, watch for religious references. Which seem more Christian? more pagan?

3. Why does Beowulf, an outsider, come to help Hrothgar?

4. What does the exchange between the watchman and Beowulf reveal about this society and about Beowulf himself?

5. Why does Beowulf refuse to use weapons in his battle against Grendel?

6. What do the graphic descriptions of blood and violence reveal about this society? How do they add to the poem?

7. How does Beowulf signify his victory over Grendel? How do you react to this custom? Are there modern literary parallels?

8. How do we see the importance of ancestry in this poem? What does it mean to be a good kinsman?

9. What is the point of Beowulf’s speech before he descends into the waters? What is Hrunting?

10. Describe Beowulf’s descent into the water and the lair of Grendel’s mother. What sorts of creatures does Beowulf encounter? What details about Grendel’s living conditions and weaponry are revealed? Describe the fight between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother. What enables Beowulf to win? Where is Grendel during this scene? What does Beowulf do to him?

11. Once the dragon is menacing Beowulf’s kingdom, how has the warrior changed? How has he become like King Hrothgar in earlier adventures? Does he feel prepared for this fight with the dragon?

12. As you read the account of Beowulf’s battle with the dragon, compare it to the story of the fight with Grendel’s mother in her lair. How are the two enemies alike and different? Compare their different "dens," their treasures, their methods of fighting, the circumstances of the absence of other warriors in the two fights, and Beowulf’s physical strength and courage.

13. What is Beowulf’s dying wish? What is Beowulf’s gift to Wiglaf?

14. What responsibilities do warriors have to their lord? How do those responsibilities change after a lord’s death? What does it mean to be a good warrior?

15. How do these excerpts of Beowulf compare to the Anglo-Saxon lyric poems we’ve read? Do you notice similar ideas, imagery, or themes?