Question

Write a narrative from the perspective of Grendel, the monster in the epic tale Beowulf. Your story must center on a conflict that reveals something important about the main character.

Answer 1

Putt… putt… putt… putt. The slow, repetitive noise echoed throughout Grendel’s head as he trudged along the soggy forest floor, a familiar path followed, with a familiar goal in mind. A familiar dull feeling consumed his every thought. True emptiness.

Putt… putt… putt… putt. He was nearing Heorot, his target location. He had attacked here many times, but was yet to leave unsuccessful. “Is this really what life has come to?” Grendel wondered. This is not the life Grendel wanted, but it was the life he was given. He had to face a choice, peace or survival.

Putt… putt… putt… putt. There it was, the front entrance. Grendel trudged through the front gate, unmotivated to act upon the oncoming soldiers, but his instincts soon took over. The first soldier reached Grendel and swung his weapon, barely missing Grendel due to his dodge. Grendel backhanded him with extreme force, breaking the man’s spine upon impact. The second soldier came barreling towards him, to which Grendel swooped up, and ripped him in half.

Next was the third soldier. Something was different about this one. It wasn’t the obvious difference of him being bare handed and not charging right at Grendel. It was the fact that Grendel could feel his aura. The two locked eyes, “who… or what are you?” Grendel asked the stranger. No reply. Was this the challenge Grendel had been looking for? “You’re dead, hear me!?” Grendel screamed before charging at the man - adrenaline coursing through his veins as he ran.

Grendel swung, the man dodged. Grendel swung again, the man dodged again. This time Grendel tried grabbing the man with both hands, to which the man quickly dodged and hit him with a right hook to the side of the rib cage, and a left hook to the stomach. Grendel had been winded. The man took his opportunity and trapped Grendel’s right arm. A whistling sound filled Grendel’s ears.

Suddenly, Grendel felt a sharp pain in his left quad. He looked down to see an arrow sticking out of his leg. It was then that Grendel knew he couldn't win. “I have to escape,” Grendel thought to himself, “but how? My arm is trapped.” That’s when Grendel realized what he had to do. He tore his arm clean off for the sake of survival. The behemoth screamed in pain, but he was free. Grendel then proceeded to run through the gate and back home. “I will be back” he thought to himself.

Answer 2

Grendel was returning to the castle again. He had repeatedly attacked the Heorot , able to bring fresh meat to his house. Once there, he would have his feast with his mother.

"They must have some kind of trap prepared for me" he thought.

He didn't care much about it, as in the past no one could stop him, no matter what they tried.

He easily entered the fort and attacked one of the men without much opposition. However, the next warrior was different. The beast is surprised to be attacked by a man with his bare hands.

"This cannot be. I shall tear him to pieces" he decided.

Grendel chased the mighty warrior into the halls, but was also attacked back by him . He had never seen such courage and strength in man before. But he was also lonely, very different from the others.

"It's too dark, and the other warriors won't let me focus on him. I shall escape and return later."

However, without realizing it, the warrior trapped his arm. The great monster tried to free himself as much as he could, but he couldn't.

Finally, he had to throw away his arm and run. The warrior's strong determination had convinced Grendel that he could not defeat him. It didn't seem like there was anything to lose for him, and this made the monster give away courage for the first time in his life.