Name: ______________________________
Section:________________________________
W3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and wellstructured event sequences.
RL3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
Step 1: Alone or with a partner/group, paraphrase each section of the poem into your own words. I
have completed the first section for you.
Hrothgar, you may have heard my cousin Higlac
say I am a tremendous warrior. I’m here today
Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days
because I heard that a monster, Grendel, has
Of my youth have been filled with glory. Now,
ruined your mead hall and your men have
Grendel’s
Name has echoed in our land: Sailors Have brought nowhere to hang out at night.
us stories of Herot, the best
Of all mead halls, deserted and useless when the
moon
Hangs in the skies the sun has lit.
Light and life fleeing together.
My people have said, the wisest, most knowing
And best of them, that my duty was to go to the
Danes’
Great King. They have seen my strength for
themselves,
Have watched me rise from the darkness of war,
Dripping with my enemies’ blood. I drove
Five great giants into chains, chased
All of that race from the earth. I swam
In the blackness of night, hunting monsters
Out of the oceans, and killing them one
By one; death was my errand and the fate
They have earned.
Now, Grendel and I are called
Together, and I’ve come. Grant me, then,
Lord and protector of this noble place, A single
request! I have come so far,
Oh shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved
friend,
That this one favor you should not refuse meThat I alone and with the help of my men,
May purge all evil from this hall.
I have heard,
Too, that this monster’s scorn of men
Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears
none.
Nor will I. My lord Higlac
Might think less of me if I let my sword
Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid
Behind some broad linden shield; My hands
Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life
Against the monster, God must decide
Who will be given to deaths cold grip.
“Hail, Hrothgar!
Name: ______________________________
Section:________________________________
W3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and wellstructured event sequences.
RL3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
Step 2: Now that you have paraphrased the poem, add sensory details to paint a picture of Grendel.
Insert the description of Grendel at the beginning of the fourth section of the poem.
I have heard,
To, that this monster’s scorn of men
Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none.
Nor will I.
I have also heard…
(This is where you need to add a sensory description so we know exactly what Grendel looks like)
Exemplar:
I have also heard…
Grendel perches on ruby red high heels that click like the tick of a bomb everywhere she walks
Her costume is that of an innocent school teacher, yet her students know that behind her coral buttoned
shirt are the lilac, gelatinous tentacles of a Portuguese man-of-war.
Her short brown hair spikes out like the back of a stegosaurus, always crossed with two copper bobbypins
She is sharp and bony, yet her man hands look like they could crush a man’s skull
Her real power hides behind her kind, brown eyes – like hot chocolate, they look warm, but they will burn
knowledge straight into you.
Assignment Rubric
Advanced (4)
Uses precise words and
phrases, relevant
descriptive details, and
sensory language to
describe Grendel so
readers can visualize
exactly what he looks
like and why he is so
feared.
Competent (3)
Uses precise words and
phrases, relevant
descriptive details, and
sensory language to
describe Grendel so
readers can visualize
what he looks like.
Limited (2)
Attempts to use precise
words, descriptive
details, and sensory
language, but some
words are vague and
although the reader can
picture some aspects of
Grendel, they can’t
visualize the monster
completely.
Emerging (1)
Attempts to use precise
words, descriptive
details, and sensory
language, but word
choice is vague and
readers cannot visualize
Grendel.
Tips to help you earn a 4:
 Start by drawing Grendel and then describe what you have drawn. This will help you
to note every detail.
 Use color words or similes and metaphors to explain Grendel's color.
 Be sure to describe his size. Similes and metaphors are effective ways to give readers
a picture of how big he is.
 If you have no idea how to start, use the picture on the right to help you. Use that
shape and size and then think about how to describe it. Add color!