Grendel Chapter 6: Existentialism and Skepticism
1. Existentialism:
2. Skepticism:
3. Anti-hero:
The opposite of a traditional hero, the anti-hero is common in modern fiction.
The anti-hero:
 is deprived of the rules and consequences of society
 is an outlaw; he has no status in society and must wander the fringes of society
 rejects values, rules, attitudes of society and political establishment
 seeks to establish his own rules and ethics
 is a failure; he is crude and sometimes stupid or dishonest
 is angry
Notes:
How is Grendel an anti-hero? Highlight, underline or annotate specific examples in your book.
4. Dark (black) humor:
 Humor from the “dark side” of life
 Cynical, bitter, disillusioned, violent and morbid
 We know it’s wrong, but it’s just too funny not to laugh
Notes:
Where does dark humor appear in Grendel (not necessarily just in chapter 6)? Note examples in your book.
Other chapter 6 ideas:
How does Grendel feel about the concept of heroism? Find textual evidence to support your conclusions.
About his fight with Unferth, Grendel says, “I got more pleasure from that apple fight than any other battle in my
life” (86). Why did he enjoy that fight so much?
In chapter 6, find at least one line that illustrates existentialism and one that depicts skepticism.
In the panels below, draw illustrations/cartoons that capture each of the main events in chapter 6. In each panel, include at
least ONE quotation (or thought bubble) that reflect Grendel’s attitude toward Unferth and ONE that reflects Unferth’s
beliefs about heroism.
The apple fight:
Later, in Grendel’s cave: