Name:_____________________
Date:______________________
Period:____________________
Mr. Hart
22 August – 22 September
Grendel-Study Guide
Chapter 6: Virgo-“The Virgin”
Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest. It
is important to distinguish this from psychological egoism, the claim that people can only act in their own interest.
Psychological egoism is a claim about how people act, not a claim about how they ought to act. Ethical egoism is
distinct from rational egoism (which holds that it is rational to act in one's self-interest) and individualism, neither
of which posit that acting in one's self-interest is necessary to act in a morally right way.
Ethical egoism contrasts with ethical altruism, which holds that moral agents have an ethical obligation to help or
serve others. Ethical egoism does not, however, require moral agents to disregard the well-being of others, nor does
it require that a moral agent refrains from considering the well-being of others in moral deliberation. What is in an
agent's self-interest may be incidentally detrimental to, beneficial to, or neutral in its effect on others. It allows for
the possibility of either as long as what is chosen is efficacious in satisfying self-interest of the agent.
Ethical egoism is sometimes the philosophical basis for people's support of libertarianism or anarchism, political
positions based partly on a belief that individuals should not coercively prevent others from exercising freedom of
action.
1. What does Grendel discover after leaving the dragon?
2. What can no longer harm Grendel?
3. How does Grendel discover that he cannot be harmed by weapons?
4. What time of year is it when Grendel begins his war with Hrothgar?
5. What does Grendel do to Hrothgar’s guard?
6. How many men does Grendel kill on his first raid?
7. What is the downside of Grendel’s new power?
8. Who is the thane who boldly opposes Grendel?
9. Who is Unferth’s father?
10. What scent pervades the hall as Unferth and Grendel talk?
11. What does Grendel throw at Unferth?
12. What does Grendel call Unferth?
13. How many days later does Unferth seek out Grendel’s cave?
14. What does Grendel do with Unferth when he come to the cave?
15. Why is Unferth so weak?
22 September – 23 October
Chapter 7: Libra-“The Scales” or “Balance”
Skepticism (chaos) vs. New Testament (order) (basic values? forgiveness)
1. Grendel hopes twelve is what?
2. What is Grendel’s law?
3. What does Grendel consider the ultimate act of nihilism?
4. What is the queen’s name?
5. In what year of Grendel’s wars does Hrothgar’s power begin to fail?
6. What threat, besides Grendel, does Hrothgar face?
7. Who is the young king?
8. Who is Hygmod the lord of?
9. What is Hygmod leading when he meets Hrothgar?
10. Hygmod proposes a truce by what gesture?
11. Hrothgar refuses treasure so Hygmod offers what as a sign of the truce?
12. Who is Hygmod’s sister?
23 October – 21 November
Chapter 8: Scorpio-“The Scorpion”
Machiavellianism is primarily the term some social and personality psychologists use to describe a person's
tendency to deceive and manipulate others for personal gain.
1. Who is Hrothgar’s younger brother?
2. Halga’s orphaned son is who?
3. How many sons does Hrothgar have by Wealtheow?
4. Grendel refers to a what between Wealtheow and Hrothgar?
5. Who are the two speakers of poetry in Chapter 8?
6. Who does Hrothulf meet in the woods at times?
7. What is the name of Hrothulf’s old companion?
8. What course of action does Red Horse suggest to Hrothulf?
9. Red Horse says all what are monstrously evil?
10. What is the name of Hrothgar’s third child?
11. What happened to Freawaru’s mother?
12. Who is the leader of the Heathobards who poses a threat to Hrothgar?