The castle lies in ruin, its king and people helpless against the onslaught of a hideous monster who kills in the night.  When all hope is gone, a hero comes from across the sea:  A champion with the strength of twenty men in each arm.   A fight to the death...A monster defeated...Hero and King celebrate in triumph...and so the story goes.  Or does it?

An outcast from birth, he watches in fascination as the strange little men build a castle, a fellowship, a dream.  Sometimes he is repulsed by their ignorance; sometimes he is torn with longing for their companionship.  He attempts contact, but is met with harsh words and cold swords.  Rejection turns to anger, anger turns to rage, and so begins the war.  But is it a war of good against evil, or intolerance against misunderstanding?

Beowulf and Grendel will each make their respective cases, while you alone are left to judge... 

6th Six Weeks:  Ancient Epic / Modern Novel

Web Resources

• Syd Allen's very comprehensive Beowulf Page 
• The Grendex: an index for John Gardner's Grendel
• The Boar's Helm Pub is a neat Beowulf Discussion Forum.
• Themes, Motifs, & Symbols in Beowulf
• Themes, Motifs, & Symbols in John Gardner's Grendel
• Background Info. on Beowulf
• Background Info. on Grendel