Beowulf: "The Battle with Grendel"

From where is Grendel coming at the beginning of "The Battle with Grendel"?

• The marsh

• Hrothgar's home

• Herot

• A lake

Which of the following does NOT characterize Grendel as he makes his way to Herot?

• Godless

• Stealthy

• Murderous

• Hesitant

What surprises Grendel when he reaches Herot?

"He had visited Hrothgar's / Home before, knew the way - / But never, before nor after that night, / Found Herot defended so firmly, his reception / So harsh" (291-295).

• A peaceful and quiet environment

• A well-fortified and defended hall

• An empty and abandoned hall
• A warm welcome and friendly atmosphere

How does Grendel react to Herot's renewed defenses?

"He journeyed, forever joyless, / Straight to the door, then snapped it open, / Tore its iron fasteners with a touch / And rushed angrily over the threshold. / He strode quickly across the inlaid / Floor, snarling and fierce: his eyes / Gleamed in the darkness, burned with a gruesome / Light" (295-302).

• He is frightened.

• He is cautious.

• He is angry.

• He is deterred.

Who does Grendel kill first?

• A Geat

• A Dane

• Hrothgar

• Beowulf

How does Grendel react to Beowulf?

"That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, / Knew at once that nowhere on earth / Had he met a man whose hands were harder; / His mind was flooded with fear - but nothing / Could take his talons and himself from that tight / Hard grip. Grendel's one thought was to run / From Beowulf, flee back to his marsh and hide there: / This was a different Herot than the hall he had emptied" (325-332).

• Anger and aggression

• Surprise and fear

• Rage and disgust

• Respect and admiration

True or False? Grendel desires and tries to kill Beowulf.

• True

• False

True or False? Beowulf and Grendel's fight destroys Herot.

• True

• False

What is the only thing that could destroy Herot?

Beowulf's men attempt to assist him in his battle with Grendel, but the men ultimately are not able to help. Why?

• The men were not skilled in battle.

• Grendel had cast a spell on the weapons.

• Grendel kills the men.

• Grendel's strength was too overwhelming for the men.