Grendel Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 11 Summary

Chapter 11 Summary

Grendel is filled with joy, sensing that something new is coming with the arrival of strangers, 15 heroes, cutting through the ice on a boat. A Danish coastguard questions the strangers, who appear as big as trees, with their leader as big as a mountain. The leader's voice is strong but mild, as if he is holding back some great power. He tells the coastguard he comes to give Hrothgar some advice on dealing with the monster. Grendel sees the stranger's huge, muscular arms and shoulders and guesses his true intent. He is excited, despite the danger. The 15 heroes move as one body to the meadhall.

Waiting out the daylight in his cave, Grendel is unnaturally aware of his surroundings. He feels a dark, old impulse and tries to understand the meaning of the coming confrontation and his fear or excitement about it. He theorizes that order is a...
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