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Beowulf: A New Telling

by Robert Nye

Chapter 1: A Ship Without a Sail

Simile:
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TEXT EXAMPLE: pg. ____

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Metaphor:
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TEXT EXAMPLE: pg.____

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Alliteration:
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TEXT EXAMPLE: pg.____

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Chapter 1: A Ship Without a Sail

Vocabulary
Scyld Scefing​-(Shild Shaving)
spindrift​- spray blown from the crests of the waves by the wind
Odin​-(Norse mythology) ruler of the Aesir; supreme god of war and poetry and knowledge
and wisdom (for which he gave one eye) and husband of Frigg; identified with the Teutonic
Wotan
sheaf​- a bundle of grain stalks laid lengthwise and tied together after reaping
litter​- bedding
dawn​- the first appearance of light in the sky before the sunrise

1. After reading the text, explain how Scyld Scefing can be identified as a hero. Write an
ICECEC paragraph response with evidence from the text.
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Chapter 2: A Hall Full of Blood

Vocabulary
Heorot​-(Hey-o-rot)
Danes​- a native or inhabitant of Denmark, or a person of Danish descent
ivory- ​a hard creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant,
walrus, or narwhal, often (esp. formerly) used to make ornaments and other articles
lark​- a small ground-dwelling songbird, typically with a brown streaked plumage, a crest and
elongated hind claws, and with a song that is delivered in flight
jutting​- extended out, over, or beyond the main body or line of something
fen​- a low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land
grisly​- causing horror or disgust

1. What was Heorot?

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2. Hrothgar’s dreams, about Heorot, are mentioned twice in this chapter.

Compare and contrast Hrothgar’s two dreams.
Describe Dream 1-
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Describe Dream 2-
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Compare and contrast the dreams here:

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Chapter 3: Ten Against Grendel

Vocabulary
Wealhtheow​-Wealth/ they/ oh
Unferth​- Ewn/ ferth
Cain​- Biblical story. He killed his brother Abel out of jealousy
malicious​- intending to do harm
swig​- to take a large drink from a bottle
burning brand​- a burning iron used to burn marks into things for ownership
singed​- to burn the ends

1. Who are the ten against Grendel? What happens to them? Who survives?
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2. Hrothgar says, “ It takes an evil nose to smell the devil”. What does this mean?
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3. Who is Wealhtheow?
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4. Who is Unferth?
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Chapter 4: Beowulf
Vocabulary
cultivate​-try to acquire or develop
integrity​- the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness
craft​- a boat or ship
prow​- the forward most part of a ship that cuts through the water
indomitable​- impossible to subdue or defeat
resigned​- having accepted something unpleasant that one cannot do anything about
shrouded​- cover so as to conceal from view

1. What happened to Beowulf with the bees? Where did he spend his time healing?
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2. What made Beowulf good? Explain using evidence from the text to respond with an
ICEC paragraph.
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3. How does the author create a contrast of Heorot and its background the fen?
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4. What did Beowulf leave on the hill?

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Chapter 5: Nine Sea-Monsters

1. How has Hrothgar changed from Grendel’s attack?

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2. How does Unferth react to Beowulf?

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3. Is Beowulf good, bad, or both? Support your answer using evidence from the text.
Write your response in an ICECEC paragraph.
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Chapter 6: Beowulf Against Grendel

1. How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?

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Chapter 7: Celebrations

1. What trophy does Beowulf take from his battle with Grendel and what does he do
with it?
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2. Explain why to Unferth, Grendel was beautiful.

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3. What gifts do Hrothgar and Wealhtheow present to Beowulf?

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4. Who were Sigmund and Fitela?

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Chapter 8: Revenge

No questions for this chapter

Chapter 9: Into the Fen

1. Why does Beowulf go into the fen with his men? What does he hope to do?
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2. What do Beowulf and his men find at the end of the spoor trail?
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Chapter 10: Beowulf Against Grendel’s Mother

1. What are the secrets to Beowulf’s victory over Grendel’s mother?

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Chapter 11: Grendel’s Head
1. Give a brief summary of what happened in the cave immediately following the death
of Grendel’s mother.
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2. Think of an example of a sword being used to defeat darkness in another piece of
literature. Explain how it is used.
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Chapter 12: Beowulf Goes Home

Vocabulary
grim​-forbidding or uninviting
bough​- a main branch of tree
ambush​- make a surprise attack on (someone) from a concealed position pg.

1. What does the raven flying away have to do with Beowulf’s toothache disappearing?
(Hint: A raven is a blackbird.)
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2. What advice did the coastguard give Beowulf on defeating Grendel?

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Chapter 13: King Beowulf

Vocabulary
ambush-​ to make a surprise on (someone) from a concealed position
usurper​- to seize and hold (a position, office, or power, etc.) by force or without legal right
tawny​- of an orange-brown or yellowish-brown color
asylum​- the protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as
a political refugee
pyre​- a heap of flammable material used for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony

1. Why do you think Beowulf kept Wealhtheow's ring?

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2. Explain how the mask of bees is symbolic.

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3. How many times was Beowulf asked to be king? Explain when each time happened
and his answer.
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Chapter 14: The Firedrake

Vocabulary
clambered​- to climb quickly but awkwardly
fissure​- a small crack in a wall

1. Beowulf has aged forty years. How has he changed and what has stayed the same?
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2. What is the Firedrake?

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Chapter 15: Beowulf Against the Firedrake

1. What did the Firedrake do and why?

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2. Instead of punishing the slave, who was responsible for the Firedrake’s revenge,
Beowulf says, “No, let him eat honey”. Wiglaf explains what Beowulf means by this.
What did Wiglaf tell the court?
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Chapter 16: Bees

1. What is inside the glove?

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2. How do Beowulf and Wiglaf destroy the Firedrake?
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3. Why does Beowulf tell Wiglaf not to tell people the real story?
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