From Beowulf Selection Test Prompt Analysis and Sample Responses

Analyze and Evaluate (15 points) 17. Identify which scene (Beowulf vs. Grendel, Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother, Beowulf and his men vs. the Dragon) involves both internal and external conflict, and explain how both elements of conflict are present.

Analyze and Evaluate (15 points) 17. Identify which scene (Beowulf vs. Grendel, Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother, Beowulf and his men vs. the Dragon) involves both internal and external conflict, and explain how both elements of conflict are present.

18. Think about what Beowulf’s words and deeds suggest about traditional Anglo-Saxon values. Then, in a paragraph or two, identify three of these values. Quote lines that support your choices, or explain what Beowulf says or does to demonstrate these values or to suggest their importance to the Anglo-Saxons.

18. Think about what Beowulf’s words and deeds suggest about traditional Anglo-Saxon values. Then, in a paragraph or two, identify three of these values. Quote lines that support your choices, or explain what Beowulf says or does to demonstrate these values or to suggest their importance to the Anglo-Saxons.

Elements of both internal and external conflict are present in the scene in which Beowulf and his men go to slay the dragon. The external conflict is fairly obvious—Beowulf is going to fight the dragon that has been terrorizing his people and burning their homes. The internal conflicts are not as obvious. Beowulf is struggling with himself; he is old and weary and knows that this is probably the battle in which he might die, victorious or not. His reputation is at stake. His men are struggling with their fear of death, of the dragon, and at the moment Beowulf needs them most, they not only fail to rush to his aid, they run for their lives. Wiglaf, one of the men, is struggling with fear, too, but he does not run, he stands there, “miserable, remembering, as a good man must, what kinship should mean.” His loyalty and inner resources enable him to assist the king in killing the dragon, which Beowulf could not have accomplished alone. Sample Answer

Traditional Anglo-Saxon values included courage, loyalty, and generosity. Beowulf's words and deeds suggest the importance of these values to Anglo-Saxons. Courage was extremely important in the Anglo-Saxon’s warrior society, and Beowulf shows courage again and again. First as a young man when he battles Grendel and Grendel’s mother and yet again when as an old man he goes to slay the dragon. Loyalty between lord and vassal was another important aspect of Anglo- Saxon society. Beowulf demonstrates loyalty when after slaying Grendel, he further serves Hrothgar by ridding him of Grendel’s mother as well. He again demonstrates loyalty when he refuses to accept the crown the Geats offer him after the death of Higlac, and instead supports his cousin Herdred’s claim to the throne. Beowulf’s loyalty is shown once again when as an old man when the warrior-king sets out to slay the dragon for his people. Generosity was another important value in Anglo-Saxon society, and Beowulf demonstrates this several times in the course of the poem. After he slays Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf is richly rewarded by King Hrothgar. Beowulf bestows most of these gifts on his king Higlac upon his return to Geatland. Beowulf further demonstrates generosity when he is king. According to Wiglaf it is Beowulf that he and Beowulfs’ men have to thank for their fine weapons, armor, and even their lands. All of these Wiglaf says were gifts from Beowulf. Courage, loyalty, and generosity were important values to the Anglo-Saxons, and there is no better proof of this than the words and deeds of their greatest hero, Beowulf. Sample Answer