FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS

from Beowulf

Name: Date:

from Beowulf
translated by Burton Raffel

DIRECTIONS: Complete the following items after you have read the text.
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RL.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves
matters uncertain.

1. (a) Analyze what the text says explicitly.

Describe why Grendel begins his attacks on the Danes and why he continues
those attacks. Cite strong and thorough evidence from the text for your response.

(b) Cite strong and thorough evidence to support inferences drawn from the
text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
The poem doesn’t clearly state why Hrothgar and his warriors did not fight back
or try kill Grendel. Using words like uncertain or ambiguous, describe at least
two possible reasons that Hrothgar and his warriors did not resist Beowulf. Cite
strong and thorough evidence from the text for your response.

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 FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS
from Beowulf

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RL.11-12.3 Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate
elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the
characters are introduced and developed).

2. (a) Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop
elements of a story.
The poem describes Grendel’s mother’s underwater lair in great detail in lines
422–440. Select three key details about lake that hides the underwater lair and
analyze how they contribute to the mood, or overall feeling, of this passage.

(b) Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to relate
elements of a story.
The lake is the setting for Beowulf’s upcoming battle with Grendel’s mother.
Explain how the details about this setting described in the answer to Part A
prepare the reader or listener for Beowulf’s second fight with a dragon.

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 FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS
from Beowulf

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RL.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including
figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and
tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or
beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)

3. (a) Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text,
including language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.
In lines 619–620, the poem describes Grendel’s severed head as “a weird and
wonderful sight.” Why do you think this sight seemed weird and at the same time
wonderful to the people in the banquet hall of Herot?

(b) Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
How does the use of the phrase “weird and wonderful” help explain the reaction
of the Danes Beowulf and the Geats return to Herot?

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RL.11-12.6. Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is
directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).

4. Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what

is directly stated in a text from what is really meant.
Analyze the first part of Wiglaf’s speech to his comrades in lines 743–752. First,
describe what Wiglaf says about his comrades and what they will do. Then
explain what Wiglaf really means in this passage. Cite evidence from the passage
that suggest Wiglaf’s real meaning.

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 FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS
from Beowulf

Author's Choices: Structure

DIRECTIONS: Complete the following activity as either a written response or a group
discussion.
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RL.11-12.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text
(e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic
resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.

5. Before Beowulf departs to fight the dragon, he delivers parting words to his
warriors (lines 621–647). Analyze his “final boast” to determine how it
contributes to the poem’s meaning, how it anticipates the outcome of the fight,
and how it affects the mood of the final scenes of the poem.

Use these guidelines in your writing or discussion.

 Analyze what Beowulf stresses in his last speech, explaining what this shows
about his heroic code and his values.
 Describe what Beowulf says about how he intends to fight the dragon. Explain
how his decision to fight this way contributes to the outcome of the fight.
 Explain how Beowulf regards himself and his mission. Describe the effect this
has on the mood of the poem’s final scenes.
 Cite textual evidence in support of your points

TIP FOR WRITTEN RESPONSE

If you use quotations from the selection, explain how the quotations connect to your
ideas.
TIP FOR DISCUSSION
Connect your ideas to the ideas of other discussion participants.

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