Part 1: GrendelPart 1: Grendel

Let’s review a few key ideas Let’s review a few key ideas from this section:from this section:

Why does Grendel strike out against Why does Grendel strike out against Hrothgar and his men?Hrothgar and his men?

He hears the men singing and celebrating day He hears the men singing and celebrating day after day and he is jealous being an outcast.after day and he is jealous being an outcast.

What does the reference to Cain and Abel What does the reference to Cain and Abel infer about Grendel’s lineage and innate infer about Grendel’s lineage and innate characteristics?characteristics?

Grendel is evil at the core, and banished Grendel is evil at the core, and banished

from society, and goodness because of this.from society, and goodness because of this.

Grendel (cont’d)Grendel (cont’d)

What is the tone in lines 44-49 after What is the tone in lines 44-49 after the discovery of Grendel’s evil acts of the discovery of Grendel’s evil acts of slaughter?slaughter?

Dismal, mournful, despairing: “Hrothgar sat Dismal, mournful, despairing: “Hrothgar sat joyless…”joyless…”

“…“…a mighty prince mourning the fate of his lost a mighty prince mourning the fate of his lost friends…”friends…”

““He wept, fearing…”He wept, fearing…”

A few more things to A few more things to remember…remember…

How long did Hrothgar’s kingdom How long did Hrothgar’s kingdom stand empty and desolate after the stand empty and desolate after the destruction of Grendel?destruction of Grendel?

12 years12 years

What is the Mood that has settled What is the Mood that has settled over Herot as described in lines 74-over Herot as described in lines 74-78?78?

one of fear: “shadow of death” “hunted in one of fear: “shadow of death” “hunted in darkness” “lying in waiting” “following them…darkness” “lying in waiting” “following them…always there…unseen…”always there…unseen…”

As well as…As well as…

What implications on nobility and kings What implications on nobility and kings is insinuated in the line: “He [Grendel] is insinuated in the line: “He [Grendel] never dared touch king Hrothgar’s never dared touch king Hrothgar’s glorious throne, protected by God…glorious throne, protected by God…whose love Grendel could not know.”whose love Grendel could not know.”

Kings and nobility are good in the eyes of God Kings and nobility are good in the eyes of God and therefore protected from evil. Unlike and therefore protected from evil. Unlike Grendel, who has been exiled for his evil and Grendel, who has been exiled for his evil and therefore not worthy of God’s love or therefore not worthy of God’s love or protection.protection.

And one final thought… And one final thought…

Think about the context of this story:Think about the context of this story:– Pre-Christian, warrior society, right?Pre-Christian, warrior society, right?– No belief in God, per se, right?No belief in God, per se, right?Soooo…..take a look at the last few lines of “Grendel.” They Soooo…..take a look at the last few lines of “Grendel.” They

read: read: “He walks through our world, our Lord of Heaven “He walks through our world, our Lord of Heaven and Earth…Hail to those who rise to God…and seek our and Earth…Hail to those who rise to God…and seek our

Father’s peace!”Father’s peace!”

How do these Christian references How do these Christian references make it into make it into

an epic poem from a pagan society an epic poem from a pagan society that trusts that trusts

only in only in WyrdWyrd??

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?!WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?!