Question

I was so filled with sorrow and tenderness I could hardly have found it in my heart to snatch a pig! Thus I fled, ridiculous hairy creature torn apart by poetry—crawling, whimpering, streaming tears, across the world like a two-headed beast, like mixed-up lamb and kid at the tail of a baffled, indifferent ewe—and I gnashed my teeth and clutched the sides of my head as if to heal the split, but I couldn’t. –Grendel, John Gardner How is Grendel characterized in this passage? Grendel is heartless and indifferent. Grendel is emotional and sensitive. Grendel is angry and vicious. Grendel is calm and decisive.

Answer 1

Answer:

B). Grendel is emotional and sensitive.

Explanation:

As per the given description in the passage, Grendel could be inferred as 'emotional and sensitive' which is evidently reflected by his revelation of 'sorrow and tenderness' that proposes a sensitive and disdainful tone to the passage and help conclude Grendel as emotional and tactful.

His emotions and sensitivity are clearly reflected through his grief and sentiments towards 'the pig' as he 'could hardly have found it in my heart to snatch a pig'. His eagerness 'to heal the split' and his disappointment(but I Couldn't do it) to his inability substantiates this claim. Thus, option B is the correct answer.

Answer 2

The answer is the second option, "Grendel is emotional and sensitive".

We can see that Grendel is showing his feeling through this poem and according to the tone of the poem (which is condescending and kind of love) we can deduce that Grendel is being emotional and sensitive.

It is also shown literally when Grendel is being emotional and it would be: "I was so filled with sorrow and tenderness"  and sensitive when he says: "I could hardly have found it in my heart to snatch a pig!