Beowulf Chapter Questions
Answer these questions with direct quotes whenever possible. Include part of the question
in your answer so that it’s clear what the question was. Provide an appropriate MLA in-text
citation that tells the chapter title and exact line numbers after the quote.
Prologue:
Answer the following using direct quotations from the text. Include citations.
1. Trace Hrothar’s ancestry back to Shild. (It may be easier to start with Shild and work your
way to Hrothgar.)
2. a. Is Hrothgar good or evil? How do you know?
b. Is Hrothgar powerful? Does he have status? How do you know?
c. Is Hrothgar heroic? How do you know?
Give specific words from the text to support your answer. Include a citation with line numbers.
Grendel
Answer each question with a direct quote from the text and a correct citation.
1. Where did Grendel come from?
2. What does Grendel look like?
3. Is Grendel good or evil? Prove it!
4. How long did Grendel terrorize Herot?
5. Why does Grendel never attack Hrothgar’s throne?
6. What do you think is the point of lines 90-103?
Beowulf
Answer each question in your own words, but still provide a citation that tells me where exactly
in the text you found the answer.
1. Who is Higlac?
2. What feats has Beowulf already accomplished? What does Beowulf’s boasting establish
about him?
3. What is Beowulf’s one request of Hrothgar? Why do you think he makes it?
4. What is Beowulf’s plan for attacking Grendel? Why does he make this choice?
5. Where is Hrothgar on the evening of the first attack?
6. What is your personal opinion of Beowulf so far?
The Battle with Grendel
Answer the following with a combination of paraphrasing and direct quotes. Provide citation as
needed.
1. How many men does Grendel kill?
2. What is Grendel’s first thought when Beowulf grabs him? What does Grendel want to do?
3. Why are Beowulf’s men of no help in this battle? (Give the reason from the story, and the
“plot line” reason, too!)
4. What proof did the Danes have that Beowulf had defeated Grendel? (two answers)
5. Beowulf is a great boaster, but is there any evidence of humility in Beowulf at all?
