Summary

The Shaper and his stories inspire Hrothgar to build a magnificent mead hall. He invites artisans from all over his nation to contribute to the building. Grendel thinks the mead hall, named Hart, is superfluous, but he is still caught up in the excitement of the grand opening. He runs out to the forest and sees a young man and woman courting. He then sees a man who had been murdered and then robbed of his clothes. He picks the person up, and then he begins to hear the Shaper sing. The Shaper is telling about how good and evil were created by a feud between two brothers. He also says Grendel and his family come from the family that God had cursed.

Hearing this, Grendel decides to bring the man to Hart as a sign of goodwill. He enters Hart and begs for forgiveness for...