Homework Due Tomorrow for Periods 8/9 and 12

Beowulf exhaust can - Suzuki GSXR 750
Originally uploaded by J_a_m_e_s

1. List 5 phrases listed at the beginning of the poem that point to Grendel’s evil nature.
2. Why does Grendel not dare to touch Hrothgar’s throne? Use textual evidence to answer this question – use a direct quote and cite line numbers.
3. An Epic Hero possesses superior strength, supreme ethics, and is a fatalist. Is Beowulf a true Epic Hero? Find 3 examples from the text to answer this question – one for each characteristic – and cite page and line numbers.
4. What is Unferth’s relationship with Hrothgar and how does that relationship provoke him to challenge Beowulf?
5. Describe the injury Beowulf inflicts on Grendel that leads to Grendel’s death. Cite line numbers.
6. What does Beowulf hang from the rafters of Herot?
7. Re-read the bottom of page 40 and visualize the position of Beowulf’s body during this scene. Describe how he is positioned and then connect this position to Christianity. Make a connection to this position and Beowulf’s survival during the battle against Grendel’s mother?
8. Beowulf submerges into the lake to kill Grendel’s mother and re-emerges victorious. Think of a Christian practice/rite/ritual that you can symbolically relate to this scene – “Beowulf’s submersion/emergence into and then out of the lake is similar to the Christian practice of… because…” Cite at least two words or phrases from the text as evidence.