Beowulf and the Dragon

1
Beowulf and the Dragon

• Pages 52-55
• Discussion Question Answers

2
Question

• 1. How many years had Beowulf been king?

3
1. Answer

• 50

4
Question

• 2. What was the reason the dragon attacked the
  people?

5
2. Answer

• The dragon, who guarded treasure for hundreds of
  years, was disturbed by a thief. The thief
  stole a cup. Thus, the dragon terrorized the
  Geats.

6
Question

• 3. Why do you think Beowulf needs to use weapons
  now when he didnt need to in the past?

7
Answer

• He is 50 years older and knows that the dragon
  breaths firedifferent from his other battles

8
Question

• 4. What words describe Beowulf as he is ready to
  face the dragon in lines 645-662?

9
Answer

• Lord, leader, set on slaughter, stood firm,
  unmoving, prepared for battle

10
Question

• 5. What happens when Beowulf strikes the dragon
  with his sword?

11
Answer

• His sword began to melt

12
Question

• 6. What did Beowulfs men do as the dragon
  closed in on him?

13
Answer

• 6.None of his men came to him or helped him.
  They ran for their lives and fled in a deep wood.
  

14
Question

• 7. Who is Wiglaf? What did he do?

15
Answer

• 7. Wiglaf is one of Beowulfs men. He
  remembered all the good things Beowulf did for
  himgave him armor, gold and the great estates
  his family enjoyed. He tells the men who ran
  that they should help Beowulf fight the dragon in
  order to repay him for his kindness and
  generosity over the years.

16
Question

• 9. How is Beowulf wounded?

17
Answer

• The dragon wounds him in the neckthe wound
  proves to be mortal

18
Question

• 9. How does the dragon die?

19
Answer

• 9. Wiglaf and Beowulf attacked the dragon with
  swords and shields

20
Question

• 10. What qualities will Beowulf be remembered
  for in lines 744-755?

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Answer

• No neighboring people have threatened the Geats
• He swore no unholy oaths, or wars
• He can die happily for all he has done
• He never washed his sword in blood born of my
  family (never killed his own, unlike Cain)

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Question

• 11. What will be done with Beowulfs body?

23
Answer

• 11. The Geats built a tower and put Beowulfs
  ashes in the walls and the dragons treasure
  inside. The tower will stand on the end of the
  shore as a reminder of Beowulf.

24
Question

• 12. What qualities of Beowulf are listed in
  lines 895-897?

25
Answer

• 12. no better king had lived, no prince so mild,
  no man so open to his people deserving of praise