Discussion questions about the poem Beowulf.
Death -
How is death characterized in the poem? Do characters appear to fear death? Which ones? One of the most poignant statements about death in the poem is an embedded narrative explaining how the dragon gained its hoard. How does the mysterious "forgotten person" react to the death of his clan in lines 2231-2270? Does this speaker fear death? Does he seem resigned? How does his response to the death of those he loves compare to Gilgamesh's, Achilles', or Priam's? How do the Geats respond to the death of Beowulf?
Women's Role -
Women are relatively minor characters in this poem, but most of the women described are Peace-Weavers-noble-born women who agree to political marriages in order to "weave peace" between warring clans and end long-standing feuds. The poem often presents these women as mirrors of each other, such as the comparison of Hygd to Modthryth (1926-1957), or Wealtheow (1167-1186) and Hygd (2369-2379). In other instances, the primary narrative is interrupted to present a tale of a peace-weaving (2020-2069). What qualities are these women expected to display? What is their role in the political scene of the various clans? Why does Beowulf describe Freawaru's upcoming peace-weaving? How do these women and their role in the poem compare to the portrayal of women in the other texts we've read thus far?