In a brief essay, describe Grendel’s mother. Base your description on the details you find in the text, and add details of your own. Tell what she looked like, how her voice sounded, how she smelled, how she walked. Describe what she ate and how she passed her time. Use as many sensory details as you can: You want your readers to feel they are meeting the monster face to face. How do you want our readers to feel about the monster? Do you want horror, or are you interested in making her somewhat sympathetic? The words you choose will make the difference.

Grendel’s mother is first described in the epic as a greedy she-wolf. She was the ruler of her underground lair of hell, the mighty sea-witch. She looked almost like a mermaid, beautiful and elegant, yet when she smiled, fangs protruded from her luscious lips. Her fingernails were that of razor-sharp claws, awaiting his welcome. Not to mention she was two times his size. Her skin was tough and scaly, like that of a dragon’s, coralish in color. You could say she’s like a female praying mantis, luring her prey in with her beauty, having fun with them, then ripping their heads off, for she has no more use for them, except for maybe as food.