Grendel is “mad with joy.” What poetic device is this?
Strangers are coming by ship.
These new men are huge. Their leader is “big as a mountain.”
He has come to help Hrothgar with Grendel.
Grendel knows the stranger is dangerous to him, but he feels excited and “alive” for the challenge.
Grendel wonders about the strange ways of man. He thinks of the man who has a wife and seven kids who sneaks off to have sex with another man’s wife. (Morality)
It makes him believe that there is NO ORDER. It is all about the SELF. Philosophy. Existentialist.
◤
3 of 4
He decides he will go to the mead hall and confront these men. He is a “sensible beast.”
He is free to do as he wants. Philosophy.
He alone exists. He is gleeful of this recognition.
The arrival of the men does not sit well with the Danes. “Honor is very big with them.”
The priests aren’t happy either. They had preached that they would be saved by a god. Now men come instead.
Unferth challenges Beowulf. And Beowulf laughs at him.
He tells Unferth that he will go to Hell for killing his brothers.
◤
4 of 4
Unferth cries and leaves. He realizes he is not a hero.
Grendel listens and grows more afraid.
The men sleep and Grendel knows that it is time to attack.
Connection to Zodiac sign:
Grendel here is “guarded, detached and destructive” in this chapter. He knows that he is in danger, but he proceeds.
He is out of touch with the possible outcome and irrational in his decisions. He “alone exists.”