from Beowulf, “Grendel,” “The Coming of Grendel,” and “The Battle with Grendel”Grendel easily killed thirty warriors during his first attack because his victims were(1 point)Responses
weak.weak.
asleep.asleep.
distracted.distracted.
afraid.
afraid.
The victims of Grendel's first attack were likely either weak or distracted.
To determine why Grendel easily killed thirty warriors during his first attack in these sections of "Beowulf," we need to examine the text. Let's look at the context of the story and analyze the possible reasons for his success.
1. Weak: It is true that Grendel's victims were not described as particularly strong or powerful warriors. However, simply being weak does not fully explain Grendel's ability to overpower and kill thirty of them.
2. Asleep: One possible reason for Grendel's success could be that his victims were caught off guard while they were sleeping. Being asleep would have made the warriors more vulnerable and rendered them unable to defend themselves effectively against Grendel's attack. It is worth noting that Grendel primarily targeted Heorot, the mead-hall, during the nighttime, when the warriors were resting.
3. Distracted: Another reason for Grendel's success could be that his victims were distracted or engaged in activities that hindered their ability to respond quickly or effectively. For example, if they were intoxicated or celebrating, their focus might have been diverted, making them easier targets for Grendel.
4. Afraid: While fear might have played a role in the warriors' ability to defend themselves, it is not explicitly stated that they were afraid during the battle. Fear alone would not explain Grendel's ability to kill thirty warriors.
In conclusion, based on the options given, the most plausible explanation is that Grendel easily killed thirty warriors during his first attack because they were caught asleep and therefore unable to defend themselves effectively. However, it is important to note that the text does not explicitly state the precise reason why Grendel succeeded in his attack.