Both Beowulf and Grendel are epic poems written hundreds of years ago.
tell the story of Grendel’s encounters with humans.
are written in first-person point of view.
show the reader Grendel’s perspective on events.

hello,

your answer is a) the metaphor suggests that the poetic themes are serious and dark.

collins is comparing the poem to a dark room. he is suggesting that the poems theme is serious and wants you to understand it. you don't need to understand the poet in order to understand the poem. you also don't need to move around while reading it. he is simply saying the poem has a dark and serious theme.

- i.a -

may i you with anything?

i'm thinking it would be when compound subjects are joined by or, nor,either-or, neither-nor.