Beowulf movie /Video-session - ESL worksheet by oppilif - Free Printable

Let's solve each section of this Beowulf worksheet step by step, based on the original Old English epic poem and common interpretations in modern adaptations (such as the 2007 film *Beowulf* directed by Robert Zemeckis). Since you've uploaded an image with a task, I’ll provide the correct answers and explanations for all three sections.

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1. Match names and definitions

We need to match each character name with its correct definition.

| Number | Name | Definition |
|--------|--------------|----------|
| 1 | Hrothgar | H. King and Grendel’s father → Incorrect, Hrothgar is not Grendel’s father. Let's analyze:
→ Hrothgar is the king of the Danes, ruler of Heorot. He is not Grendel’s father.
Grendel is said to be descended from Cain, so his father is not named.
So, Hrothgar is best matched with:
I. Queen and Hrothgar’s wife? No — that would be Wealtheow.
Wait — let's go through all options carefully.

Let’s list the characters and their correct matches:

1. Hrothgar – King of the Danes, builder of Heorot → King and Grendel’s father? No.
But there is no option like “King of the Danes.”
Option H says: "King and Grendel’s father" → This is incorrect because Grendel is not Hrothgar’s son.
Actually, no character is described as Grendel’s father — he is a descendant of Cain.

But wait — perhaps we misread. Let’s re-evaluate the options:

A. A royal advisor and a Danish warrior jealous of Beowulf → Unferth
B. A brave Geatish warrior → Beowulf
C. The great hall where the Danes hold celebrations → Heorot
D. An alcoholic beverage created fermenting honey with water → Mead
E. A disfigured troll-like creature with hypersensitive hearing → Grendel
F. Beowulf’s loyal friend → Wiglaf
G. An unnamed swamp-hag → Grendel’s mother (she’s sometimes called a hag)
H. King and Grendel’s father → This is incorrect. Hrothgar is king, but not Grendel’s father.
I. Queen and Hrothgar’s wife → Wealtheow

Now let’s assign:

1. Hrothgar → King of the Danes → Only option that fits is H, but it says "King and Grendel’s father" — which is false. So this is problematic.

Wait — maybe H is meant to be "King of the Danes", but it says "King and Grendel’s father" — that's wrong.

Perhaps it's a typo? But let’s assume the options are accurate.

Let’s try matching correctly:

- 1. Hrothgar → King of the Danes → No direct match? But option H says "King and Grendel’s father" — that's false.
But no other option mentions king. Wait — option I is “Queen and Hrothgar’s wife” — that’s Wealtheow.

So what about Hrothgar?

Maybe H is intended to mean "King of the Danes", but it incorrectly says “and Grendel’s father”. That’s likely a mistake.

Alternatively, perhaps Grendel’s father is not mentioned — so H must be wrong.

Let’s go one by one.

1. Hrothgar → King of the Danes → only possible match is H, even though it says "and Grendel’s father", which is false.
But since no other option fits, perhaps it’s a typo and should be just “King of the Danes”.

But wait — option H says: "King and Grendel’s father" — that’s not true.

Actually, Grendel is descended from Cain, not from Hrothgar.

So H is incorrect.

But let’s look at G: "An unnamed swamp-hag" → that could be Grendel’s mother.

Yes — she is often referred to as a hag.

So:

- Grendel’s mother → G. An unnamed swamp-hag → ✔

Now back to Hrothgar.

Is there any option that describes him?

None directly say “king of the Danes”.

But I says: “Queen and Hrothgar’s wife” → that’s Wealtheow

So:
- Wealtheow → I. Queen and Hrothgar’s wife → ✔

Now:
- Hrothgar → ? → Only remaining option with “king” is H: “King and Grendel’s father” — but that’s false.

Unless… is there a possibility that H is meant to be “King of the Danes”? Probably a typo.

But let’s proceed with logic.

Let’s match all:

1. Hrothgar → King of the Danes → H is closest, even if flawed. But perhaps H is meant to be “King of the Danes”, and “Grendel’s father” is a mistake.

Alternatively, maybe H is actually Unferth or someone else?

No — Unferth is jealous of Beowulf.

Let’s start over.

List of names:

1. Hrothgar
2. Wiglaf
3. Grendel
4. Unferth
5. Grendel’s mother
6. Heorot
7. Wealtheow
8. Mead
9. Beowulf

Options:

A. A royal advisor and a Danish warrior jealous of Beowulf → Unferth → ✔ (Unferth challenges Beowulf)

B. A brave Geatish warrior → Beowulf → ✔

C. The great hall where the Danes hold celebrations → Heorot → ✔

D. An alcoholic beverage created fermenting honey with water → Mead → ✔

E. A disfigured troll-like creature with hypersensitive hearing → Grendel → ✔

F. Beowulf’s loyal friend → Wiglaf → ✔

G. An unnamed swamp-hag → Grendel’s mother → ✔

H. King and Grendel’s father → ???
But Hrothgar is king, but not Grendel’s father.
So this is wrong.

I. Queen and Hrothgar’s wife → Wealtheow → ✔

So now:

1. Hrothgar → ??
Only option left is H, but it says “King and Grendel’s father” — which is false.

Wait — unless H is meant to be “King of the Danes”, and “Grendel’s father” is a mistake.

But in the poem, Grendel is not Hrothgar’s son — they are enemies.

So H cannot be correct.

But then Hrothgar has no matching definition.

Wait — perhaps H is meant to be “King of the Danes” and “Grendel’s father” is a typo.

Alternatively, maybe H refers to Beowulf? No.

Wait — Beowulf is not the king until later.

Another idea: perhaps H is “King of the Danes”, and “Grendel’s father” is a red herring or error.

But looking again: the option says: "H. King and Grendel’s father"

That’s not true.

But no other option says “king”.

So perhaps H is intended to be Hrothgar, despite the error.

Or maybe the answer key assumes H is for Hrothgar, ignoring the “Grendel’s father” part.

Alternatively, perhaps Grendel’s father is Cain, but Cain isn’t listed.

So likely, H is a typo, and should be “King of the Danes”.

Given that, let’s assign:

1. Hrothgar → H (despite flaw) → ✔ (assumed typo)

2. Wiglaf → F. Beowulf’s loyal friend → ✔

3. Grendel → E. A disfigured troll-like creature... → ✔

4. Unferth → A. A royal advisor and a Danish warrior jealous of Beowulf → ✔

5. Grendel’s mother → G. An unnamed swamp-hag → ✔

6. Heorot → C. The great hall... → ✔

7. Wealtheow → I. Queen and Hrothgar’s wife → ✔

8. Mead → D. An alcoholic beverage... → ✔

9. Beowulf → B. A brave Geatish warrior → ✔

So final matches:

1. Hrothgar → H
2. Wiglaf → F
3. Grendel → E
4. Unferth → A
5. Grendel’s mother → G
6. Heorot → C
7. Wealtheow → I
8. Mead → D
9. Beowulf → B

Even though H says “King and Grendel’s father”, we accept it as King of the Danes, assuming a typo.

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2. Choose the answer. Who said what...?

Match quotes to speakers.

1. “If I kill the monster, it’ll be for glory not for gold”
→ This is Beowulf’s statement before fighting Grendel. He says he fights for fame, not treasure.
→ Beowulf

2. “Men hurt my head … my ears”
→ This is Grendel, describing how loud sounds in Heorot hurt him due to his sensitive hearing.
→ Grendel

3. “How can I ever lay with you when I know you lay with her”
→ This is Unferth, who is jealous of Beowulf and mentions that Beowulf slept with Wealtheow (though this is not in the original poem — it’s from the movie).
In the film, Unferth says this. In the poem, it’s not said.
But since this is likely referencing the film, it’s Unferth.

4. “Hail to Beowulf… come to save our pathetic Danish skin”
→ This is Hrothgar, welcoming Beowulf.
→ Hrothgar

5. “I died many years ago when I was young”
→ This is Grendel’s mother, speaking to Beowulf after he enters her lair. She says she was killed long ago, but her spirit lives.
→ Grendel’s mother

6. “The Royal Dragon Horn is the prize of my treasure”
→ This is the dragon, in the film version. In the poem, the dragon guards treasure, but doesn't speak this line.
But in the film, the dragon says something similar.
→ Dragon

7. “Grendel’s father can do no harm to men”
→ This is Hrothgar, explaining that Grendel is not a threat to men because his father (Cain) is not powerful. But actually, Grendel does harm men.
Wait — this quote is not in the poem.
But in the film, Hrothgar says something like: “Grendel’s father can do no harm to men,” meaning Grendel is not truly dangerous.
But this is not accurate.
Actually, this line is spoken by Hrothgar in the film.
→ Hrothgar

8. “The Beowulf I heard of, swam against Brecca and lost”
→ This is Unferth, challenging Beowulf’s past.
→ Unferth

9. “Give me a son”
→ This is Grendel’s mother, asking Beowulf for a son, as she is lonely.
→ Grendel’s mother

10. “He was the bravest of us. He was the prince of all warriors. His name will live forever”
→ This is Hrothgar, mourning Beowulf after his death.
→ Hrothgar

Now let’s compile:

1. Beowulf
2. Grendel
3. Unferth
4. Hrothgar
5. Grendel’s mother
6. Dragon
7. Hrothgar
8. Unferth
9. Grendel’s mother
10. Hrothgar

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3. Underline the differences between the film and the poem

We are to underline differences, and write statements in the table.

For each statement, decide whether it’s in the film or the poem.

Let’s go one by one:

1. Grendel’s mother is a beautiful seducer
→ Film only (in the 2007 film, she is portrayed as attractive and seductive; in the poem, she is a monstrous hag)
→ Film

2. Beowulf’s body is burned on a huge funeral pyre
→ Poem (yes, in the poem, Beowulf is cremated on a pyre)
→ Poem

3. Beowulf is portrayed as a flawed man
→ Film (in the poem, he is heroic and noble; in the film, he is more complex, has flaws)
→ Film

4. Unferth is a pagan
→ Poem (both are pagan; no Christianity in the poem)
→ Poem

5. Hrothgar is a womanizing alcoholic
→ Film (in the film, he is shown drinking and having affairs; in the poem, he is a wise king)
→ Film

6. Beowulf becomes the ruler of Denmark when Hrothgar commits suicide
→ Film (in the poem, Hrothgar does not die by suicide; Beowulf becomes king of Geatland)
→ Film

7. Grendel’s mother is another demonic descendant of Cain
→ Poem (in both, she is linked to Cain; but in the film, it’s emphasized)
→ Poem

8. Grendel is a fragile child-like creature
→ Film (in the film, Grendel is depicted as childlike and vulnerable; in the poem, he is a fearsome monster)
→ Film

9. Hrothgar is a wise and aged ruler, a father figure to Beowulf and a model for the kind of king Beowulf becomes
→ Poem (in the poem, Hrothgar is wise and fatherly; in the film, he is corrupt)
→ Poem

10. Unferth is portrayed as a Christian
→ Film (in the film, Unferth is a Christian, while others are pagan)
→ Film

11. Beowulf is the strongest, ablest warrior around. A wise and effective ruler.
→ Poem (he is portrayed as such in the poem)
→ Poem

12. Grendel is a savage demon monster
→ Poem (in the poem, he is a monster; in the film, he is more human-like)
→ Poem

13. For Beowulf’s funeral his body is taken by the sea
→ Film (in the film, Beowulf’s body is carried to sea; in the poem, he is cremated on a pyre)
→ Film

14. Grendel’s mother bears Grendel as Hrothgar’s child and the dragon as Beowulf’s child
→ Film (in the film, Grendel is Hrothgar’s son via a secret affair; the dragon is Beowulf’s son)
→ Film

15. Beowulf becomes the ruler of his native Geatland
→ Poem (in the poem, he returns to Geatland and becomes king)
→ Poem

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Final Answers

#### 1. Match names and definitions

1. Hrothgar → H
2. Wiglaf → F
3. Grendel → E
4. Unferth → A
5. Grendel’s mother → G
6. Heorot → C
7. Wealtheow → I
8. Mead → D
9. Beowulf → B

> ⚠️ Note: Option H ("King and Grendel’s father") is incorrect — likely a typo. It should be "King of the Danes".

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#### 2. Who said what?

1. Beowulf
2. Grendel
3. Unferth
4. Hrothgar
5. Grendel’s mother
6. Dragon
7. Hrothgar
8. Unferth
9. Grendel’s mother
10. Hrothgar

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#### 3. Film vs Poem Table

| Statement | Film | Poem |
|---------|------|------|
| 1. Grendel’s mother is a beautiful seducer | ✔ | ✘ |
| 2. Beowulf’s body is burned on a huge funeral pyre | ✘ | ✔ |
| 3. Beowulf is portrayed as a flawed man | ✔ | ✘ |
| 4. Unferth is a pagan | ✘ | ✔ |
| 5. Hrothgar is a womanizing alcoholic | ✔ | ✘ |
| 6. Beowulf becomes the ruler of Denmark when Hrothgar commits suicide | ✔ | ✘ |
| 7. Grendel’s mother is another demonic descendant of Cain | ✘ | ✔ |
| 8. Grendel is a fragile child-like creature | ✔ | ✘ |
| 9. Hrothgar is a wise and aged ruler, a father figure to Beowulf | ✘ | ✔ |
| 10. Unferth is portrayed as a Christian | ✔ | ✘ |
| 11. Beowulf is the strongest, ablest warrior around | ✘ | ✔ |
| 12. Grendel is a savage demon monster | ✘ | ✔ |
| 13. For Beowulf’s funeral his body is taken by the sea | ✔ | ✘ |
| 14. Grendel’s mother bears Grendel as Hrothgar’s child and the dragon as Beowulf’s child | ✔ | ✘ |
| 15. Beowulf becomes the ruler of his native Geatland | ✘ | ✔ |

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Summary

- Section 1: Matched characters using standard knowledge, noting a likely typo in option H.
- Section 2: Matched quotes to characters, primarily from the 2007 film (due to lines like "Give me a son").
- Section 3: Identified film-specific elements (seduction, incest, dragons as children) vs poem-traditional elements (cremation, heroism, paganism).

This worksheet contrasts the epic poem with the modern cinematic adaptation, highlighting how myth is reinterpreted.

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!