Philosophy
The Allegory of the Cave is from this Greek philosopher's work the Republic.
Who is Plato?
The Shaper is so powerful that Grendel believes his assertion that he has descended from this Biblical brother.
Who is Cain?
The novel opens with Grendel growling at this animal, which is the sign of the Zodiac.
What is a ram?
What does Beowulf force Grendel to sing about in their final battle?
What are walls?
This character gives Grendel the advice to "seek out gold and sit on it."
Who is the dragon?
Jean-Paul Sartre claimed that existence preceded this term, which refers to the substance of a thing.
What is essence?
This man the oldest priest and genuinely believes that God's existence "is the ultimate irrationality."
Who is Ork?
What is raiding the mead-hall?
The Danes are upset at the Geats' arrival for this reason.
What is honor?
This character's death causes Grendel to lament that he should have "captured him, teased him, tormented him."
Who is the Shaper?
"God is dead" is a statement made by this German philosopher, who is known for his study of nihilism.
Who is Friedrich Nietzche?
Grendel pretends to be this god, who is the King of the Gods in the priests' religion.
Who is the Great Destroyer?
In his final words, Grendel describes his death as this.
What is an accident?
What does Grendel imagine Beowulf spouting during their final battle?
What are wings?
This character is never actually referred to by his name, with Grendel calling him "the stranger."
Who is Beowulf?
This the English translation of Descartes' assertion Cogito, ergo sum.
What is "I think, therefore I am"?
By the end of the novel, the religion of the Danes has transformed into this type of religion, which believes in multiple gods.
What is polytheism?
Near the end of the novel, this animal annoys Grendel, causing him to throw rocks at it.
What is a goat?
According to the dragon, the humans need Grendel, as he drives them to these three things.
What are poetry, science and religion?
Grendel refuses to kill this character, instead "pick[ing] him up gently and carr[ying] him home."
Who is Unferth?
According to Sartre, complete freedom results in this emotional response in human beings.
What is anguish?
In an act of forgiveness, Wealtheow decides to forgive Unferth for this crime?
What is fratricide?
Grendel develops this belief, which he calls Grendel's Theorem.
What is any human action must trigger an equal and opposite reaction?
When speaking to Hrothgar's nephew, this character says the state has a monopoly on "legitimate violence."
Who is Hrothulf?
Grendel lets go of this character, deciding it would be "meaningless, killing her."
Who is Wealtheow?