1. Beowulf Review What does Grendel like to do at night? Hrothgar’s men made some ineffectual attempts at solving their problem. What were some of these attempts?

2. Why doesn’t Grendel dare to tough Hrothgar or his throne? Beowulf says he has come to kill Grendel. What proof does he offer that he is up to the task?

3. Why does Beowulf intend to fight Grendel without weaponry?

4. Section 6: Unferth’s Challenge What is Unferth’s motivation for challenging Beowulf? How does Unferth’s challenge build suspense?

5. Section 7 In what ways does Beowulf compare his defeat of the sea monsters to a feast? How does Beowulf destroy all of Unferth’s credibility?

6. Section 8: The Battle with Grendel Grendel manages to kill a Geat. Did Beowulf allow this? Explain.

7. Section 9 How do the actions of Beowulf’s men uphold the Anglo-Saxon code of honor and loyalty? Why was it smart of Beowulf to vow to fight Grendel without weaponry?

8. Why does Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm from the rafters of Herot? What effect do you think seeing the arm would have on viewers?

9. Section 10 Look at the description of the lake in which Grendel lives. How is it suggestive / symbolic of hell?

10. Section 11 Why would Grendel’s mother possibly be even more dangerous than Grendel had been? What imagery in the description of Grendel’s lair associates Grendel with death and darkness?