Model answer: Because there had been peace, the warriors might have been in a deep sleep so they could have been taken unawares as they were off guard and were killed. When Grendel finds them, he might eat the warriors because he says in his song, 'Sweet human meat's the best to eat.' which means he liked to eat humans.
Try this
Grendel hated the music. He hated it because he hated the humans that made it. He hated it with a hatred that burnt bright as a star. He hated it as only a demon can hate. It reminded him of what an outcast he was. In his ears, that music sounded like the buzzing of flies.
Why should people be happy, he wondered. Why should they make music and sing and hold great feasts while he sat alone in a stinking bog? He was full of jealousy and hatred. The king had left his favourite warriors to guard the Hall, but because there was peace in the land they did not take their guard duty seriously. They fell asleep, and did not hear Grendel croaking his terrible song as he moved out from the shadows towards them:
'Sweet human meat's the best to eat,
And human bones the best to grind.'
Brian Patten: from Beowulf and the Monster (Scholastic, 1999)
What might happen during the night?
1 markShow answer