Summary

Winter has begun in Denmark and Grendel feels uneasy. He watches as an archer shoots a deer, and he feels like there is some sort of symbolism in the image. He later watches as the priests in Hrothgar’s town perform a religious ceremony using an ancient dialect. The place where the ceremony is performed is a ring of land surrounded by large wooden figures of multiple deities. That night, he goes down to the land and contemplates the Danes and their religion. An elderly priest comes outside, and Grendel hides behind a statue. The priest begins talking with Grendel, asking him if he is the “Destroyer.” Playing along, Grendel claims he is the Destroyer.

The priest, Ork, begins exalting Grendel, and Grendel uses this time to speak about metaphysics. He says he, “the Destroyer,” has set limits on mankind. Yet he demands people live up...