Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Grendel is isolated from humanity because he is viewed as “the Other.” In fact, Grendel’s human counterpart is likely Hrothgar, though Hrothgar is unaware of this relationship.

• As the Other, what role does Grendel serve in the life of Hrothgar? (topic sentence)
• Discuss the role Grendel plays in the rise of Hrothgar’s kingdom.
• In your closing sentences, discuss Grendel’s pity for the aging Hrothgar.

2. Grendel feels a particular affection for the Shaper.

• How do Grendel’s feelings toward the Shaper alter over the course of the novel, and why? (topic sentence)
• In what ways does the role the Shaper plays in Grendel’s life mirror or contrast with the role the Shaper plays in the lives of the Danes?
• In your closing sentences, consider whether the Art is Redemptive in the hands of the Shaper or in Gardner’s (who is arguably the real Shaper).