The lake is the setting for Beowulf’s upcoming battle with Grendel’s mother. Explain how the details about this setting described in the answer to part A prepare the reader or listener for Beowulf’s second fight with a dragon
Third, it is at the bottom of a lake. This is both a sign of Beowulf's heroic prowess--who but a great hero could hold his breath this long and still fight--and symbolizes the fact that this is Grendel's mother's court
