Beowulf 8

Study Guide Questions for Lines 2542-2846

If you are looking for the beginning of the study for Beowulf then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Fate, Leadership, Justice, Loyalty, Courage

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. In his fight against the dragon, what did “fate deny” Beowulf for the first time?

2. What did most of Beowulf’s “high-born comrades” do when they saw Beowulf’s original attack had failed?

3. How many times had Wiglaf entered “the line of battle with his Lord” prior to this adventure?

4. What did Wiglaf tell the other warriors in his band would be “unthinkable” to do?

5. According to the text, why were swords rarely of any use to Beowulf?

6. How was Beowulf wounded during the third attack by the Dragon?

7. How did Wiglaf provide significant aid to Beowulf when he most needed help?

8. How was the dragon finally slain?

9. What did Beowulf ask Wiglaf to help him see before he died?

10. What command did Beowulf give concerning his burial?

11. What did Beowulf give to Wiglaf?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why did Wiglaf, who appears to be less seasoned of a warrior than the others, come to Beowulf’s aid when no one else did?

2. Why does the Beowulf poet tell us the history behind Wiglaf’s war gear (sword, armor, etc.)?

3. Inductive logic involves giving a list of facts or information which has the cumulative effect of bringing about the most reasonable conclusion. How do we see Wiglaf making use of induction?

4. Why did Beowulf want to see the gold before he died? Why would that provide him with any comfort?

5. Why would the poet tell us about the “standard, entirely of gold” and other valuables just to tell us that later “a certain man plundered the hoard” and took that beautiful treasure?

6. Why did Beowulf want to be buried in the way he prescribed?

7. Did Beowulf pass on the rule of kingdom to Wiglaf?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. It has been said, “You cannot be a leader if no one will follow you.” Consider the case of Wiglaf, was he a leader or not? What are the necessary traits of a true leader? Explain your answer carefully.

2. The Beowulf poet, commenting on Beowulf and Wiglaf’s brave fight to the death with the dragon, said “They had killed the enemy, courage quelled his life; that pair of kinsmen, partners in nobility, had destroyed the foe. So every man should act, be at hand when needed.” Is it possible to make a universal statement about what every man ought to do in a given situation? If so, by what standard is it possible to make such a declaration? If not, why not?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Beowulf, as he lay dying, said “I took what came, cared for and stood by things in my keeping, never fomented quarrels, never swore to a lie. All this consoles me, doomed as I am and sickening for death; because of my right ways, the Ruler of mankind need never blame me when the breath leaves my body for murder of kinsmen.” Using Scripture, how might you respond to Beowulf in his last moments after hearing him make such a statement?