1. What two world views are being intermingled in this work? It what passages have world views been specifically communicated?
2. How do Beowulf’s four confrontations with monsters build on each other?
– the story Beowulf relates of nine monsters slayed after a swimming race
– confronting Grendel
– confronting Grendel’s Mother
– avenging his kingdom over the Firedrake
3. What was Beowulf’s weapon of choice? And, what is his battle plan in each instance?
4. Please take a moment to recount the main elements of the story. Does the Beowulf remind you of any other story? For example, many stories relate back to Homer. Does Beowulf related back to any other stories in your way of thinking, or is it a radical departure from the rest? Either way, how so?
5. Has the close examination of this poem challenged your thinking on how to approach difficult situations? In what way(s)?