Clemente, Jhonalyn A.

Survey of English and American Literature

Bsed- English 3

Beowulf’s Death

Literary activity 1

1. What magnificent work does Hrothgar undertake? What is it for?

The magnificent work does Hrothgar undertake was building a Heorot the
spectacular mead hall for the feast and the celebrations of Hrothgar and his
people the Danes.

2. What are some of the Anglo -Saxon values Beowulf portrays in the epic poem?

It values of the bravery and the fellowship of the group that’s why they would
fight to leave a heroic story.

3. Why does Grendel not touch Hrothgar’s throne?

As what I understand in the story, the reason why Grendel didn’t touch the
throne of Hrothgar is because it is protected by God. And the demon creature
like Grendel is not allowed to touch all people who loves God or the creation of
our Lord.

4. How long does King Hrothgar and his people suffer from the attack?

The Danes weapon is useless that’s why the monster is easily to Danes to eat. For
12 long years Grendel raid the main hall.

5. What is the significance of Heorot standing empty for many years?

Just because their weapon is useless to fight against Grendel, they should
prepare to the battle because Grendel is strong monster and an indeed evil.

6. What kind of monster is Grendel?

 Grendel is a monster who attacks the Danes for 12 years. Meaning, Grendel is a
demon creature he also bent on killing danish warriors. This monster is envious
of the celebrations in King Hrothgar’s wealthy mead- hall, Heorot. Also, Grendel
is a monster who dwell the Martians nearby and he sees a full of jealousy.

7. How is Beowulf describe in the beginning of the poem?

In the beginning he is being describe as a young warrior from Geatland who

travels to Heorot hall from his own land to help King Hrothgar whose family
had helped Beowulf’s people before.

8. What does Beowulf mean by nature’s weapons only?

He states that even though he doesn’t have any weapon he will still fight
Grendel. And there are several reasons to do this.

9. Why does Beowulf allow Grendel to kill one of the Greats before taking action
himself?

Because he can better prepare to kill Grendel if he suddenly fights it there will be
no certainly that he kills Grendel.

10. Why are the killings including that of Grendel done at night?

Knowing that Grendel is a demon creature, so he always attacks at night because

it is an advantage to him a being aggressive at night.

11. How does the story establish that the battle is not merely a battle between
Beowulf and Grendel but between good and evil?

Using the story of Beowulf’s, it represents the good, whereas Grendel it

represents the bad or the evil. So, those characters show a different way to
present the story.

12. How would you compare the battle between Beowulf and Grendel with that of
David and Goliath? How does this show that the storyteller was familiar with
the Bible?
 Power, size, and being aggressive is never determined a positive victory, because
victory is being gained by the most determined and undaunted of all the battle.

13. What does the epic tell about the kind of community the English people of that
time?

Heroes having supernatural’s power all the time, it was easy to think that the
character shows as a good person in every story.

Literary Activity 2
In not less than 250 words, write an essay to answer the following:
- How significant do you think are the stories of epic heroes from long time ago to
the world today?
- How can one be a hero in the modern worlds?

The significance of the stories of epic heroes is they can be the one of a hero in the
modern world it also because they showed up their own in wanted to their
country what’s right for. As reminiscing those story that I watch or I read before,
I can say that it is all about the battle between the good and bad. It’s about a fight
for their freedom, and for its own country. There is also a hero who will do
everything for their country even though they face a chaos that’s why there are
men who take a lot of risk to win the battle. And in our generation, it is
important to know the stories of the modern world to open our mind, to do the
best and good for the sake of our own country. One of the importance also of the
epics today is it gives us an idea or prior knowledge of how good the leaders of
the modern word it is, that we can used and apply in our learning and also in our
life lives. So, how can be a hero in the modern worlds? I think we can be a hero
in the modern world by simply means of doing a good work like being a good
person to anyone who is willing to help somebody and shows respect with all
your heart. Initiating the change that you want to see in your country is one of
the kinds of a hero and you should put others before yourself, those
characteristics of a person has ability to become a hero in the modern world
because it shows how you care and how you love your country. Always
remember that, once a hero will be always a hero so do your best for your
country fight for your freedom because every person needs to be free of all the
time and besides every person in this world has a right. Imagine that our country
or our world is full of happy and good person, as well as a world that full of
love, faith, care, peace and knowing or praising our God. So, it thinks that we
have a peaceful and good country that we belong. It showed that in every time
 we need to be or to act like a hero in our country yes, maybe anyone can see it
but we have our lord who knows everything about us.

Literary Activity 3

1. What is Beowulf’s parting speech to Hrothgar all about?

The parting speech of Beowulf to the King is he promise that he will confidently
destroy Grendel he will even fight him unarmed.

2. What happened when Beowulf first attacked Grendel’s mother?

Beowulf tries to kill her with his bare hands and he manage to knockdown the
Grendel’s mother.

3. What characteristics of an epic hero does Beowulf display during his fight with
Grendel’s mother?

For me, that’s one of the characteristics of a hero. Why? Because a hero is ready
to fight to win the battle. And I admire him because he also believes to his ability
and determination to win the battle for their country even though he feels the
hurt and he become wounded he still stands and fight Grendel it shows that he is
determined to destroy the evil creation.

4. Upon seeing the corpse of Grendel, why does Beowulf have to behead it when it
is already dead?

For me, because he didn’t prove to the King that he destroys Grendel’s mother
and. After I watched the video, I realized that when Beowulf make a promise, he
would make it successfully.

5. How different is the battle between Beowulf and Grendel from the fight with
Grendel’s mother?

The battle between Beowulf and Grendel is take a lot of time to destroy Grendel,
there’s a lot of planned that Beowulf’s make to kill Grendel, because Grendel is a
demon creature and the weapons of Danes is useless to destroy Grendel that’s
why it takes a lot of time to kill Grendel unlike to his mother. See the difference,
 when Beowulf used his great strength to Grendel’s arms it is successful to
destroy Grendel, but when he used it to Grendel’s mother he failed.

6. How do the details about Beowulf’s journey to the lair of Grendel’s mother show
that the Beowulf’s is not an ordinary man?

I think, it showed and it noticed the King Hrothgar that Beowulf is not an
ordinary man because he can spend a few hours underwater and fully armed.

Literary Activity 4

Guess the meaning of the following kennings based on how they are used in the excerpt
of Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mother.

1. Light – flashing

I think light flashing after the Grendel’s death.

2. Grim- death

I guess that is mean, the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, because when
Beowulf grim the hand of Grendel it is successfully destroy Grendel.

3. Doughty- in – battle

I guess, the doubt in a battle because their weapons are useless to destroy the
monster.

4. Fate – cursed

I guess, it is mean when Beowulf’s destroy Grendel’s mother.

5. Battle – grim

I guess, it is the end of the battle when the evil has been destroyed.
Literary Activity 5
Recall the heroes or leaders who fought for your country’s freedom. Then state the
qualities common among them.

Jose P. Rizal

those heroes has a common

qualities that they are all fight
for the sake of our country. to
become all Pilipino's has a
Emilio Aguinaldo freedom and live a better place. Andres Bonifacio
here are some qualities that
they have like perseverrance,
brave, compassion, condidence,
and determined for our nation.

Ferdinand Magellan