19
QuizMultiple Choice

Characterization in Grendel — Quiz

Question 19 • Language Arts 12

Read these lines from Beowulf . He realized that the demon was going to descend on the hall, that he had plotted all day, from dawn-light until darkness gathered again over the world and stealthy night-shapes came stealing forth under the cloud-murk. Read this excerpt from Grendel . Thus I fled, ridiculous hairy creature torn apart by poetry—crawling, whimpering, streaming tears, across the world like a two-headed beast, like mixed-up lamb and kid at the tail of a baffled, indifferent ewe—and I gnashed my teeth and clutched the sides of my head as if to heal the split, but I couldn’t. Which statement best compares the two excerpts?

Answer
A
Grendel is described as an unfeeling creature in Beowulf , but he is a sensitive and emotional character in Grendel .
B
Beowulf acts cowardly in Beowulf , but he behaves like a fearless hero in Grendel .
C
Beowulf feels sympathy for Grendel in Beowulf , but he is jealous of Grendel in Grendel .
D
Grendel seems comical and ridiculous in Beowulf , but he seems calm and calculating in Grendel .

Explanation

In the Beowulf excerpt, Grendel is described as plotting and sneaking toward the hall, which presents him as a threatening, calculating creature rather than showing his feelings. In the Grendel excerpt, he cries, whimpers, and clutches his head, making him seem sensitive and emotionally overwhelmed. So the best comparison is that Grendel appears unfeeling in Beowulf but emotional in Grendel.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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