1. Grendel Philosophical study

2. 12 chapters: Twelve years of Grendel’s raids and 12 zodiacs Not chronological: Flashbacks, Allusions, Foreshadowing Tense: Present tense is interspersed with past telling of events leading up to this 12th year Each chapter presents a different branch of philosophy

3. chapter 1 Natural Philosophers Life is an endless cycle -  how new life starts with spring

4. Solipsism Denies the importance of anything except the individual person's consciousness young Grendel, not knowing the world yet chapter 2

5. Sophism - Arguments can be made on either side of an issue. It is the argument rather than the content that is important. Grendel's observation of how people think and act Grendel’s Reaction to the (Scop’s) Shaper’s Songs chapter 3 He feels torn between what he observes (reality) and what he hears (the beauty and idealism)

6. Old Testament Theology An eye for an eye. A harsh punishing God. after Grendel brings the body and is attacked again, he comforts himself in knowing human nature and how Hrothgar's dependents won’t be as nice and as loved chapter 4

7. Metaphysics Looking for "the Big Picture" -unifying concepts that explain existence  ch 5 conversations between the dragon and Grendel AND  ch 9 the priest's belief in the Destroyer chapter 5/9

8. Nihilism Life is meaningless. We just exist.  - ch 5 the dragon AND  ch 10 Grendel thinks of the dragon chapter 5/10

9. Existentialism We are alone in a hostile world. We are free to make our own meaning and are responsible for our own life decisions. ch 6 Grendel's reaction to what the dragon told him AND ch 11 Beowulf's decision chapter 6/11

10. New Testament - A philosophy of forgiveness and personal sacrifice for the well-being of the group the queen chapter 7

11. Machiavellian Statecraft - The end justifies the means. The smart leader does whatever is necessary to secure and continue power. how Hrothulf thinks Hrothgar rules chapter 8

12. Empiricism What is real is what we experience. All knowledge comes from experience. conversation between Grendel and Beowulf chapter 12

13. A Tale Told By an Idiot?  Grendel says often that he is stupid and that life is meaningless (and he tells the story)  He whispers, cannot be understood by the Danes (his language is older)  His voice is too loud and frightful to be understood.  His killings, an expression of anger and the meaning of his tale he summarizes at the close of chapter 10: “ Nihil ex nihilo.” (Latin for Nothing comes from Nothing)