Grendel Chapter Three Study Guide

Grendel Chapter Three Study Guide

GRENDEL CHAPTER EIGHT STUDY FOCUS

PHILOSOPHY: MACHIAVELLIAN: The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 – 1527): In his book ThePrince, the Italian writer Niccolo Machiavelli elaborates on the ideal way for a leader to rule. According to Machiavelli, the creation of a stable and virtuous state is the greatest possible good a leader can achieve. Here’s the catch: in order to create and preserve this ideal state, Machiavelli says the leader can perform whatever immoral and cruel acts he sees fit, so long as those acts are performed outside the public eye. What’s important is appearance: doing bad in private’s okay, so long as you look good in the eyes of the public.

ZODIAC SIGN: SCORPIO, THE SCORPION: Scorpio is intense, determined, powerful, strong-willed, forceful, bold, courageous, enduring, competitive, resourceful, researcher, an investigator, secretive, mysterious, penetrating, psychic, self-reliant, and somewhat introverted or closed.

  1. What evidence supports the philosophy in this chapter?
  2. What evidence supports the zodiac sign in this chapter?
  3. What threats surround Hrothgar after Hrothulf's arrival? How is Hrothulf like a scorpion?
  4. Grendel makes up a poem about the arrival of Hrothulf, which refers to the king’s orphaned nephew. In this poem, the Shaper tells the boy, “‘By deeds worth praise/a man can, in any kingdom, prosper!’” Grendel then writes the following “theorum”: “Any action (A) of the human heart/must trigger and equal and opposite reaction. (A1)” (p 113).
    What is Grendel implying about Hrothulf with this theorem?
  5. Describe the nephew’s counselor. In what ways is he similar to the dragon? What might his name and hair represent?
  6. How can violence be creative? What do Grendel and Red Horse have to say about violence and "legitimate force"?
  7. In the counselor’s opinion, what does a kingdom pretend to do? What does it really do?
  8. Describe Red Horse's political ideology. What is his opinion on governments in general?
  9. Analyze Hrothgar’s dream. What do you think the twisted tree trunk might symbolize?

GRENDEL CHAPTER NINE STUDY FOCUS

PHILOSOPHY: PROCESS PHILOSOPHY: The truest reality is that things are constantly in the process of changing. We are never one thing; rather, we are constantly in the process of becoming.

ZODIAC SIGN: SAGITTARIUS, THE ARCHER: Sagittarius is idealistic, optimistic, freedom-loving, casual, friendly, buoyant, gregarious, enthusiastic, philosophical, studious, farseeing, direct, outspoken, honest, loyal, and restless.

  1. What evidence supports the philosophy in this chapter?
  2. What evidence supports the zodiac sign in this chapter?
  3. What are the children in the village doing when Grendel passes through?
  4. Why is Grendel disturbed by the death of the hart?
  5. What evidence is there in this chapter that the people are moving away from the belief in many gods toward Christianity and the belief in one God?
  6. List three bits of wisdom the old priest relates to Grendel about the King of Gods.
  7. In your own words, relate the priest’s definition of Ultimate Wisdom.
  8. Describe the fourth priest’s reaction to the old priest’s story about having a conversation with The Destroyer.
  9. Why do you think Grendel is uneasy at the end of this Chapter?
  10. What ironies occur in this section?
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