Chapter 11: Grendel meets Beowulf

Characters

Beowulf

Grendel

Motivation

Quotes

• Beowulf - Come to kill Grendal and save the Danes.
• Grendel - Prepair to defend himself from Beowulf.
• Unferth - Protect his pride by challenging Beowulf's feats.
• Coast Guard - Keep the coast of Denmark safe.

"And now, silence. Darkness.

It is time."

~ Grendel

"Yet I exist, I knew. Then I alone exist, I said. It's me or it"

~ Grendel

"I am made with joy-at least I think it's joy.

~ Grendel

Gardner's language

• Symbolism & Alliteration - "smiling mask men slide between the two great, dark realities, the self and the world"
• Imagery- " the icebergs, parted as if gently pushed back by enormous hands, and the ship sailed through, sea-eager, foamy-necked, white sails riding the swan-road, flying like a bird!"

Hrothgar

Unferth

A kenning

Connections

Summary

In Beowulf, Beowulf's arrival to Denmark

is an exciting moment for him, he is about

to slay a monster and gain fame.

In Grendel we see there is a parallel between

the excitement each warrior feel. Grendel

feels alive and eager for battle,

however where Beowulf is celebrated

Grendel is the beast

who's doom is to be slain.

Philosophy

Breca

Wealtheow

"Violence is truth"

- Grendel

Grendel sees a ship coming from

his cave and gets excited. The hero coming turns out to be Beowulf. When Grendel realizes who is coming to fight him a disturbing feeling strikes him however he is invigorated to battle.

In this chapter the promise of a battle and

bloodshed excites Grendel so much that

he once again begins to feel things. He is

not willing to flee and eager to stand against

Beowulf even though he is powerful and was

prophiesed to kill him. Grendel is following

his"wyrd" or fate. In this chapter

Grendel follows the philosophy of

the anglo-saxon warriors.

poop

Symbolic Zodiacal

The zodiac reference in this chapter is Aquarius the Water Bearer. This is because Beowulf arrived on a boat, from Geatsland to Danes. Also Breca was mentioned in this chapter, Breca is Beowulf's childhood friend. Breca proposed a swimming competition to Beowulf.

Theme

Point of View

The overall theme of the story remains

the same. Grendel feels isolated from

society and this is made clear by the

fact that he is the monster everyone is

cheering to be killed. He faces Beowulf knowing he will die,

thus accepting his role.

In the poem of Beowulf, Grendel is seen as

an unrepentive monster and Beowulf has

come to emancipate the Danes. In the story

of Grendel the point of view has been switched

and we see Beowulf as another eager hero

that will try to kill the misunderstood

creature; Grendel.

Chapter 11: Grendel meets Beowulf