Grendel Review!
By: Ashley, Brittany, and Cherelle
Top 5 Things about Context
 Allegory of the cave
 Ideas involving Post-Modernism
 Definitions of meta-fiction, solipsism, nihilism, and existentialism
 Occidental and oriental dragon
 Religious views during the Anglo-Saxon time period
Top 5 Things about Content
 The zodiac signs in each chapter
 The philosophies of the dragon and how they affect Grendel
 References to machines or mechanics
 The importance of the Shaper and how he affects Grendel
 References to the biblical stories of Cain and Abel and how the stories affects
Grendel’s view of himself
Review Questions
1. What god did Grendel imposter when he was talking to Ork?
a) God
b) Destroyer
c) Shaper
d) Dragon
2. Is Grendel allowed to touch the dragon’s things? Why?
a) No, because it is poisoned.
b) Yes, the dragon gives him some.
c) Yes, the dragon could care less.
d) No, the dragon is possessive over his collection of wealth.
3. How does the dragon feel about his treasures?
a) He cherishes it with his life.
b) It means nothing to him.
c) He would give it away in a heartbeat.
d) It means nothing but he isn’t willing to part with it.
4. Who advises Grendel to “find gold and sit on it.”?
a) Ork
b) Destroyer
c) Dragon
d) Shaper
5. Why does Grendel decide not to kill Wealtheow?
a) Because he is in love with her.
b) Because he doesn’t like to kill women.
c) Because it would pointless to kill her.
d) Because he felt sorry for her.
6. Why does Grendel decide not to kill Unferth?
a) Because he didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of dying a hero.
b) Because he didn’t want to embarrass Unferth.
c) Because Unferth understood Grendel.
d) Because it would be pointless to kill Unferth.
7. After Grendel hears the story of Cain and Abel what role does he assume?
a) Hero
b) God
c) The Cursed Race
d) Villain
8. Why does Grendel become the anti-hero?
a) Because he hates the humans.
b) Because he likes to kill men.
c) Because he is lonely and has nothing better to do.
d) Because he thinks this is the only way to be apart of the humans world.
9. Where did Grendel grow up?
a) A lake
b) The cliff
c) In a cave
d) In Hart
10. In chapter one Grendel is arguing with a ram. In reference to the zodiac signs,
what signs correlates with the ram?
a) Aries
b) Libra
c) Taurus
d) Virgo
11. Libra is the seventh zodiac sign. Which character represents the scales of balance?
a) Grendel
b) Shaper
c) Wealtheow
d) Hrothgan
12. If the Dragon sees the future why does he not try to change it?
a) He doesn’t care
b) He will out live it
c) The future will happen no matter what
d) Grendel will do it for him
13. Who is the Shaper?
a) Prophet
b) A Bard
c) Old Man
d) A blind beggar
14. What story does Grendel over hear the Shaper tell?
a) Cursed race
b) God cursing Cain
c) Tale of Two Brothers
d) Cain and Able
15. Who indirectly influences Grendel?
a) God
b) Cain
c) Shaper
d) Ork
16. What does the cave symbolize to Grendel?
a) The pain of isolation
b) Balance is everything
c) The love of his mother
d) The fear of being alone
17. What season does the novel open with?
a) Spring
b) Summer
c) Winter
d) Autumn
18. What season does Grendel die in?
a) Spring
b) Summer
c) Winter
d) Autumn
19. What is Ork’s disability?
a) He is deaf
b) He is unable to walk
c) He is blind
d) He is a mute
20. How many years does Grendel’s battle with Hart last?
a) 15
b) 20
c) 12
d) 10
21. What is the name of the mead hall?
a) Hrothgar
b) Hart
c) Danes
d) Gaets
22. What keeps climbing up the hill?
a) Ram
b) Goat
c) Wolf
d) Bear
23. How according to Grendel does Beowulf win?
a) It was an accident
b) Beowulf is God
c) God helps Beowulf
d) Grendel is ambushed
24. How does Grendel die?
a) His arm is ripped off
b) He is beheaded
c) He bleeds out
d) He doesn’t die
25. What period was Grendel written?
a) Postmodern
b) Classical
c) Shakespearian
d) Anglo Saxon
Answers
1B
2D
3D
4C
5C
6A
7D
8D
9C
10A
11C
12C
13B
14D
15C
16A
17A
18C
19C
20C
21B
22A
23A
24A
25A
The True Knowledge by Oscar Wilde
Thou knowest all; I seek in vain
What lands to till or sow with seed-The land is black with briar and weed,
Nor cares for falling tears or rain.
Thou knowest all; I sit and wait
With blinded eyes and hands that fail,
Till the last lifting of the veil
And the first opening of the gate.
Thou knowest all; I cannot see.
I trust I shall not live in vain,
I know that we shall meet again
In some divine eternity.