Grendel

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Grendel is isolated from humanity because he is viewed as “the Other.” In fact, Grendel’s human counterpart is likely Hrothgar, though Hrothgar is unaware of this relationship.

• As the Other, what role does Grendel serve in the life of Hrothgar? (topic sentence)
• Discuss the role Grendel plays in the rise of Hrothgar’s kingdom.
• In your closing sentences, discuss Grendel’s pity for the aging Hrothgar.

2. Grendel feels a particular affection for the Shaper.

• How do Grendel’s feelings toward the Shaper alter over the course of the novel, and why? (topic sentence)
• In what ways does the role the Shaper plays in Grendel’s life mirror or contrast with the role the Shaper plays in the lives of the Danes?
• In your closing sentences, consider whether the Art is Redemptive in the hands of the Shaper or in Gardner’s (who is arguably the real Shaper).

3. The humans in the novel view themselves as good and Grendel as evil. Grendel finds this position hypocritical.

• What is The Nature of Evil in the novel? Is it an individual or a cultural moral failure? (topic sentence)
• In what ways are both Grendel and the Danes evil? Is their evil similar or different?
• In your closing sentences, discuss the relationship between good and evil.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. The novel opens in spring and ends in winter. What role do the changing seasons serve in the novel? Cite text evidence to support your claim.

2. The structure of the novel includes stream-of-consciousness, nonlinear plot, present and past tenses, lyrics, and dramatic scripting. In what ways does this structure support or contrast with one or more of the novel’s themes? Cite text evidence to support your claim.

3. Consider the roles of the novel’s three female characters: Grendel’s mother, Wealtheow, and the red-haired woman who mourns the Shaper. What is Grendel’s relationship to each woman? How does each relationship help or hinder the development of Grendel’s character? Cite text evidence to support your claim.