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BEOWULF

“The Battle with Grendel”


READING
The Battle with Grendel
495 Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty
Hills and bogs, bearing God's hatred,
Grendel came, hoping to kill
Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.
He moved quickly through the cloudy night,
500 Up from his swampland, sliding silently
Toward that gold-shining hall. He had visited Hrothgar's
Home before, knew the way
But never, before nor after that night,
Found Herot defended so firmly, his reception
505 So harsh. He journeyed, forever joyless,
Straight to the door, then snapped it open,
Tore its iron fasteners with a touch
And rushed angrily over the threshold.
ANALYSIS
The Battle with Grendel
The high hall rang, its roof boards swayed, Its benches rattled, fell

And Danes shook with terror. Down To the floor, gold-covered boards grating

The aisles the battle swept, angry As Grendel and Beowulf battled across them.

555 And wild. Herot trembled, wonderfully Hrothgar's wise men had fashioned Herot

Built to withstand the blows, the struggling To stand forever; only fire,

Great bodies beating at its beautiful walls; 565 They had planned, could shatter what such skill had put

Shaped and fastened with iron, inside Together, swallow in hot flames such splendor

And out, artfully worked, the building Of ivory and iron and wood.

560 Stood firm.

As the battle ensues, how do the Danes respond to what they witness?
Identify the personification in line 555.
How does this literary device help you to “feel” the battle between Beowulf and Grendel?
Identify the alliteration in this section.
How does the repetition of the “b” sound impact the telling of the poem
and help you to get a better feel of the battle?
Text of Poem with Guided Reading & Analysis
Answer Key Included
Teacher Presentation Notes
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