Beowulf
 Review Questions
Assignment #3

Lines: 607-1061 (pgs. 41-71)

1.  Considering the  lines below, what role do you see Wealhtheow fulfilling in the Danish court? What specifically is Wealhtheow attempting to accomplish by having all of the warriors drink from the same cup of mead? What term could we use to describe Wealhtheow? 
 

2. Discuss the mood in lines 703-735. How does the poet’s (or Heaney’s) use of literary devices (alliteration, imagery, etc.) help create a desired effect? Support your claims with specific examples from the text. 

3. Consider the fight scene between Beowulf and Grendel (lines 710-835). Why do you suppose the poet chooses to relate much of this scene from Grendel’s perspective rather than from Beowulf’s? In other words, how does this technique affect the reader’s view of Beowulf? 

4.  Considering lines 874-900 and 900-913, how do you perceive both Sigemund and Heremod as kings? Are they "good" or "bad"? Justify your views on each by citing specific lines.

5. Why should this particular lay be considered didactic? Explain the significance of this song's being sung at this particular point in the plot. Beowulf, along with the Danes and Geats, are returning from tracking Grendel's bloody trail. Everybody is very happy and Beowulf is basking in the glow of glorious victory over the powers of evil.

Why is it significant that the Scop would choose this time to sing the song of Sigemund and Heremod?

6.  Re-read lines 915-978-- the conversation between Hrothgar and Beowulf.

a) Explain how each man adheres to the host/guest and the Lord/Thane relationships

b) How is the tie to Christianity made clear in each of their speeches? Cite specific examples from the text. 

7.  Consider the victory celebration at Heorot. What seems to be the role of gift-giving in this culture?