Cricket Muse answers “Must students read Beowulf before reading...”

Jill asked this question about Grendel:

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

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 kn…moreGrendel 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.(less)

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