Question

vocabulary check: previewing the characters
grendel is portrayed as a malignant creature, bringing only suffering and destruction wherever he goes. his attacks on heorot are not random but fueled by a deep hatred for the joy and light he cannot share.
in beowulf, the narrator describes grendel as a malignant force who brought terror to the danes. what does the word malignant most nearly mean?
ancient and forgotten
evil and harmful
lonely and misunderstood
powerful and unstoppable

Explanation:

The text describes Grendel as bringing only suffering and destruction, and acting out of hatred. This implies an evil - natured and harmful being. The word "malignant" in this context means something that is evil and causes harm.

Answer:

B. Evil and harmful