2. Where do MONSTERS lurk?
Beowulf presents a dramatic battle between an evil monster and a legendary hero. Unlike the monsters in Beowulf, the monsters in our own world are often difficult to recognize. Evil hides in unexpected places: behind a smiling face, between the lines of a law, in otherwise noble-sounding words.
What does evil mean to you? Write your own definition of evil, and then explain some examples of real-life “monsters”. (1 paragraph minimum)
Turn and talk to a classmate (share what you came up with)

3. People, Monsters and Places
Beowulf: a Geat, son of Edgetho and nephew of Higlac, King of the Geats
Grendel: Man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere or mountain lake. His name might mean “Storm”
Herot: golden guest hall built by king Hrothgar, the Danish ruler. It was decorated with the antlers of stags. Scholars believe this was located in Zealand (Denmark)
Hrothgar: King of the Danes, builder of Herot. He had once befriended Beowulf’s father. His father was Healfdane.
Wiglaf: A Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band and the only one to help him in his final fight

4. The Quest:
Beowulf, like all epic heroes, possesses superior physical strength and supremely ethical standards.
He embodies the highest ideals of Anglo-Saxon culture.
In his quest he must defeat monsters that embody dark and destructive powers. At the end of his quests he is glorified by the people he has saved.
Fights a man eating monster, quest to battle the monster’s mother and quest to kill a dragon

5. Grendel: Answer on same sheet as your explanation of evil (from yesterday), then turn in.
If Beowulf is an archetype of an epic hero, of what is Grendel an archetype of? What details support your answer.