Exactly what the title says it is.
This is adapted from Monsters and Villains of the Movies and Literature by Gerrie McCall, Dragons: Fearsome Monsters from Myth and Fiction by Gerrie McCall, and Mythical Monsters by Chris McNab.
All the information...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
MOUTH: Grendel's powerful jaw is lined with sharp, unbreakable teeth that are perfect for crunching through the bones of his enemies. HEAD: The oversized head is so heavy that when Beowulf cuts it off, four men are required to carry it away. EYES: A horrible light like a fire in his eyes reflects the hatred he feels toward all human beings.
SKIN: Grendel's skin cannot be broken. He has placed a charm on all human weapons so that they cannot harm him.
HANDS: His blood-soaked claws are hard as steel.
As an outcast, Grendel walks in desolate places on the fringes of society. Angered by the sounds of singing and celebration coming from the feasting hall, Grendel wages war for 12 years against the Danes. A furious and hungry creature, he leaves behind scenes of carnage and bloody footprints. Killing more than 30 warriors in the feasting hall, he drags away their bodies to eat them in his swamp lair. Grendel cannot be stopped. He has placed a magical charm on all human weapons, which means that no knife, arrow, spear, or sword can harm him. The king and his people abandon the feasting hall. Only the hero Beowulf is unafraid.
Beowulf and his men spend the night in the feasting hall. As they sleep, Grendel enters and attacks, devouring one of Beowulf's soldiers. Beowulf is only pretending to sleep. He leaps up and grasps Grendel's hand in a death grip. Beowulf's men come to his aid, but their weapons cannot pierce Grendel's skin. Beowulf summons all his strength and, using only his bare hands, rips Grendel's arm off. Grendel retreats to his swamp to die, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
DID YOU KNOW? Grendel dies in his cave beneath his swamp. Grendel's mother, who is also a terrible beast, attacks the feasting hall, seeking revenge for her son. Beowulf tracks her too the swamp cave, where she battles Beowulf and comes close to defeating the great hero. Fortunately, Beowulf notices a sword and uses it to kill Grendel's mother.
Beowulf finds Grendel's corpse in the cave, removes the head with the sword, and keeps it as a battle trophy, proving his victory over the dreadful menace. The king rewards Beowulf for ridding Geatland of Grendel and his gruesome mother.
Grendel is a descendent of Cain, the first murderer in the Bible.
