From Beowulf to Grendel:
--wanna know how Beowulf (old English epic poem) set the stage for Grendel (1971)?
​Why don't you visit this page: www.drkaylee.us/beowulf-and-the-canterbury-tales.html? 
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Ready to jump in and journey through the Viking world? It is filled with monsters, dragons, and mead-drinking, horn-rimmed-helmet-wearing, battle-axe-wielding, long-bearded Vikings. To boot, it is encircled in the cosmic world of stars and constellations.

You can keep track of Grendel's psychological journey starting from Aries and following the twelve zodiac signs counter-clockwise, which coincide with the motif of each of twelve chapters. 

​Enjoy!

Picture

Chapter 1: Aries, or the Ram
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Chapter 2: Taurus, or the Bull
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Chapter 3: Gemini, or the Twins
Vocabulary Might: 
Raid
Maraud
Pillage
Plunder 
loot 
How does the preponderance of these diction words characterize the Viking world? 

👉What textual evidence refers to Gemini? 

👉How does Hrothgar ascend to power? What do we call this form of the medieval governing system? 

👉What role does the Shaper play? 

Chapter 4: Cancer, or the Crab Sign

Chapter 5: Leo, or the Lion Sign
Allegory: a representation of an idea or concept

Have you read The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come (1678)? In it, John Bunyan portrays an everyman, "Christian," journeying from the "City of Destruction" ("this world") to the "Celestial City" ("that which is to come" meaning Heaven) atop Mount Zion. Now, you know how allegory functions, do you?

Evaluative reflection: Complete the sentence stem by supplying a textual reference and your opinion.
Options:
👉The Dragon is a hypocrite because, in Chapter 5 of Grendel, he . . .
👉The Dragon is a pedant because, in Chapter 5 of Grendel, he . . .
👉The Dragon is the echo of Grendel’s inner voice because he . . .
👉The Dragon is like the Serpent who tempted Eve to rebel against Yahweh because he . . . 

Chapter 6: Virgo, or the Virgin Sign
Archetype: a symbolic representation of the collective unconscious 
First consider the qualities and progress of the archetypal hero. Now, share your opinion: Is Unferth a hero? Why do you say so? If not, why does he fall short of a hero? 

Chapter 7: