Final answer:
Beowulf's men stand back and watch without intervening when Beowulf battles Grendel as their weapons are rendered useless by Grendel's enchantment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the battle with Grendel begins in the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf's men stand back and do not intervene in the fight. Option B suggests that they immediately join Beowulf in the battle, but this is not what occurs in the poem. Instead, they find themselves unable to assist their leader due to Grendel's enchantment, which renders their weapons useless against him. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is C: They stan tod back and watch without intervening. The soldiers were prepared for battle, bearing arms and protection, but their efforts were in vain against Grendel's magical protection.