Summary

While in his cave, Grendel sees a ram. He tries to scare it off, but the ram completely ignores Grendel’s roars. The ram’s obstinacy reminds Grendel spring has arrived, thus beginning his twelfth year of war against the humans. Spring also reminds Grendel the animals will begin copulation soon. He thinks the whole affair is silly, and he asks the sky why animals like the ram haven’t figured out how to have sex in private. The sky, doesn’t answer him. This reminds Grendel he is also a mindless creature now because all he does is kill. Passing his sleeping mother, who does not talk, he leaves and goes to Hart, the mead hall of King Hrothgar of the Danes.

When Grendel arrives, he barges through the door and begins killing humans. The people turn the lights off to confuse Grendel, but he...