Grendel Lesson Plan

Why does Grendel begin his “war against Hrothgar”?

Some potential interpretations of Grendel’s motivations include:

- Grendel wants to put Hrothgar in his place because Hrothgar became (or acted) too powerful.

- Grendel wants to restore balance in nature: he wants to be part of the stories the Shaper tells, perhaps as the villain.

- Grendel wants revenge on Hrothgar.

- Grendel is simply putting his nihilism into violent action.

Consider the development of human society as Grendel describes it. How does he feel about it? How might his particular perspective color his perception of human development?

Students should identify the changes that human society...