Jill asked:

Must students read Beowulf before reading Grendel, or can they read the novel without having any context of the poem?

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6 years ago
3 answers

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Eric Farnsworth I read Grendel first. I was aware of the Beowulf story, but I had no idea how it went. I have now read Beowulf.
I like Grendel better than Boewulf or any of the other Danes or Geats. They are all nasty brutes that care only for killing and alcohol, and how much gold (or honor?) that will get them.
Grendel is a monster, but he is not only self aware, but he knows the Danes better than they know themselves.
So I recommend reading Grendel first, because it will highlight just how nasty the humans were (and are).

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Mighty Sea I was going to give (essentially) the same answer as Cricket Muse...but the more I think about it the more I feel like the answer is no. You can read Grendel without any knowledge of Beowulf and still get the novel. Grendel is the story of a misanthrope looking for meaning in a seemingly uncaring universe, with some viking neighbors he doesn't like very much. Knowing about Beowulf definitely adds texture to several characters such as the Dragon and the King, but doesn't change anything in Grendels' "journey."

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Cricket Muse Grendel can be read without knowing about Beowulf; however, Beowulf is so intertwined with Grendel that it seems to shortchange Grendel’s story not knowing how Beowulf is the game changer, and in fact his appearance is anti-climatic if nothing is known about him. So, I strongly suggest reading at least a summary of Beowulf before taking on Grendel.

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