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Essay, Option 1
In Beowulf, is Grendel an actual monster, a wicked man, or a symbol of immorality?
To figure out this question, think about what Grendel represents. What values did people admire in the time of Beowulf and how does Grendel differ from those values? Use evidence from the text to support your view of whom or what Grendel actually is.
Grendel’s mother takes revenge for her son’s death by killing only one person—Hrothgar’s closest friend. Beowulf once again takes it upon himself to rid the Danes of their attacker. He kills Grendel’s mother with a sword and then looks for Grendel, only to find that the monster has died from having his arm torn off. Beowulf cuts off Grendel’s head and takes it back to Herot as a trophy, where he is rewarded and praised for his efforts. He returns home and eventually becomes King of the Geats, reigning for fifty years
While Grendel’s mothers methods and the context of her actions are villainous, she displays signs of loyalty and bravery through avenging her sons death. This act of vengeance aligns with the heroic code of the time, which emphasized loyalty to kin and the duty to avenge wrongs against one’s family. In this sense, she can be seen as somewhat admirable because she has the same core values that the Anglo-Saxon warriors, including Beowulf, uphold.
Grendel’s mother, despite being depicted as a monstrous figure in “Beowulf,” embodies the Anglo-Saxon value of loyalty by seeking revenge for her son’s death. This act of vengeance aligns with the heroic code of the time, which emphasized loyalty to kin and the duty to avenge wrongs against one’s family. In this sense, Grendel’s mother can be seen as admirable because she adheres to the same cultural values that the Anglo-Saxon warriors, including Beowulf, uphold. Her actions show a dedication to her family, paralleling the loyalty and bravery celebrated in the epic’s heroes. Therefore, while her methods and the context of her actions are villainous, the underlying motivation rooted in loyalty renders her character complex and somewhat admirable within the framework of Anglo-Saxon values.
In lines 100-125 of Beowulf, Grendel is described as a malevolent entity, referred to as a “demon” with “malice and hate.” This characterization suggests that Grendel is driven by evil intentions and a desire to cause harm. Additionally, the passage mentions that Grendel lurks in darkness and is a threat to the security of Heorot. The description of Grendel as a “fiend” and “full of hate” shows his demonous nature. Based on this section of the poem, I see Grendel as a fearsome and relentless demon monster, capable of inflicting terror and wreaking a kingdom.
Instructional Feedback:
These lines tell us that Grendel is purely evil; that God is against him; and that Grendel will always meet with defeat. You may imagine Grendel as a two-legged reptile, with green, scaly skin and glowing red eyes. You may find him scary or disgusting, or you may feel sorry for him because he is a social outcast.
Likely the poem’s most memorable creation, Grendel is one of the three monsters that Beowulf battles. His nature is ambiguous. Though he has many animal attributes and a grotesque, monstrous appearance, he seems to be guided by vaguely human emotions and impulses, and he shows more of an interior life than one might expect. Exiled to the swamplands outside the boundaries of human society, Grendel is an outcast who seems to long to be reinstated. The poet hints that behind Grendel’s aggression against the Danes lies loneliness and jealousy. By lineage, Grendel is a member of “Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcasts.” (106–107). He is thus descended from a figure who epitomizes resentment and malice. While the poet somewhat sympathetically suggests that Grendel’s deep bitterness about being excluded from the revelry in the mead-hall owes, in part, to his accursed status, he also points out that Grendel is “[m]alignant by nature” and that he has “never show[n] remorse” (137).
Grendel’s exact nature is left mysterious. We know that he is shaped like a man (“weres wæstmum,” [l.1352]), but so large that it takes four warriors to carry his head. He is a descendant of Cain, the Biblical figure cursed by God for the murder of his brother, and he is also a “mearc-stapa” (l.103), a “border-stepper.” Some readers have argued that Grendel symbolically represents the people displaced—exiled beyond the borders—by the violent crimes of Hrothgar and of Northern warrior society generally. Other readers have suggested that Grendel represents the unknowable threats that lie beyond the borders of human knowledge
In lines 100-125 of Beowulf, Grendel is described as a malevolent entity, referred to as a “demon” with “malice and hate.” This characterization suggests that Grendel is driven by evil intentions and a desire to cause harm. Additionally, the passage mentions that Grendel lurks in darkness and is a threat to the security of Heorot. The description of Grendel as a “fiend” and “full of hate” shows his demonous nature. Based on this section of the poem, I see Grendel as a fearsome and relentless demon monster, capable of instilling terror and wreaking a kingdom.
While Grendel’s mother does demonstrate loyalty in seeking revenge for her son’s death, it is important to consider the context and motivations behind her actions. While loyalty is certainly an admirable trait in Anglo-Saxon society, it is outweighed by the fact that Grendel’s mother is driven by vengeance, selfish desires, and bloodshed, rather than by a sense of justice or honor. Her willingness to murder diminishes any admiration one might have for her loyalty.
In Anglo-Saxon tales, characters like Grendel, his mother, and the Fire Dragon represent evil through traits like violence, jealousy, and greed. Grendel’s monstrous attacks on Heorot instill fear and chaos, driven by jealousy towards the Danes’ joy. Additionally, Grendel’s mother seeks revenge, while the Fire Dragon hoards treasure out of greed, bringing destruction to the kingdom.
Kennings describe what they refer to in poetic or metaphoric ways. For example, Grendel is said to be a “sin-stained demon,” although his actions have not left physical stains on his body. Answers will vary.
Quote:
“The wicked creature, grim and greedy, was at the ready, savage and cruel, and seized in their rest thirty of the thanes.” The poet describes Grendel’s first attack on Hrothgar’s men. The monster is strong enough to seize thirty unsuspecting warriors, who are sleeping peacefully. After this first attack, the warriors will suffer many sleepless nights as Grendel’s cruel attacks increase and as Hrothgar grows weaker.
“Then a fierce evil demon suffered distress, long in torment, who dwelt in darkness. For day after day, he heard rejoicing loud in the hall: there was music of the harp, and the clear song of the scop, who sang of creation, the beginnings of men far back in time.” The poet introduces Grendel, the monster, by picturing him as distressed and tormented by the rejoicing he hears in the hall. The music being played is a song of creation, in praise of God. Such music brings pain to Grendel because he is a demon. Grendel represents evil, so the poet’s Christian worldview turns him into a fiend from hell.
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In the epic poem *Beowulf* Grendel can be interpreted in various ways—as an actual monster, a wicked man, or a symbol of immorality. However, upon examining the text and the context of the values admired during the time of *Beowulf*, it becomes clear that Grendel is best understood as a symbol of immorality. This interpretation aligns with the values and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon period and highlights the contrast between Grendel and the heroic qualities embodied by Beowulf and his society.
The Anglo-Saxon period, during which *Beowulf* was composed, revered qualities such as bravery, loyalty, honor, and the protection of one’s community. Heroes like Beowulf were celebrated for their strength, courage, and their role as protectors of their people. Beowulf’s actions throughout the poem reflect these admired values. He travels to the land of the Danes to help King Hrothgar, displaying loyalty and courage. His willingness to fight Grendel, a terrifying creature terrorizing Hrothgar’s hall, showcases his bravery and sense of duty.
Grendel, on the other hand, represents the antithesis of these values. Described as a descendant of Cain, the biblical figure who committed the first murder by killing his brother Abel, Grendel is immediately associated with evil and immorality. The text states, “So Grendel waged his lonely war, / Inflicting constant cruelties on the people, / Atrocious hurt” (Beowulf, lines 151-153). This passage highlights Grendel’s isolation and his delight in causing harm, which starkly contrasts with the communal and protective nature of Beowulf and the society he defends.
Grendel’s attacks on Heorot, Hrothgar’s mead hall, further illustrate his symbolic role as an embodiment of immorality. The mead hall is a central place for the community, where warriors gather to celebrate their victories, share stories, and strengthen their bonds. By targeting Heorot, Grendel disrupts the social harmony and communal joy, representing a direct threat to the values of unity and fellowship. His actions are not just physical attacks but also symbolic assaults on the moral and social fabric of the society.
Additionally, Grendel’s nature and behavior are depicted as monstrous and inhuman. The poem describes him as a creature of the night, lurking in the darkness, “mankind’s enemy” (Beowulf, line 164). His aversion to light and joy, and his preference for darkness and isolation, symbolize his moral corruption and separation from the human community. This portrayal emphasizes his role as a symbol of the forces that threaten societal values and order.
While some might argue that Grendel could be viewed as a wicked man given his ancestry and actions, the text consistently emphasizes his monstrous and supernatural aspects. He possesses immense strength, and his mere presence instills fear in the hearts of the Danes. The depiction of his battle with Beowulf, where Beowulf rips off Grendel’s arm with his bare hands, further reinforces the idea of Grendel as a creature beyond ordinary human evil. His defeat by Beowulf, a hero embodying the highest virtues of his society, underscores the triumph of good over evil, morality over immorality.
In conclusion, Grendel in *Beowulf* serves as a powerful symbol of immorality. His actions and characteristics starkly contrast with the values admired by the Anglo-Saxon culture, such as bravery, loyalty, and communal harmony. By representing the forces of chaos and evil, Grendel highlights the moral and heroic qualities of Beowulf and the society he protects. This symbolic interpretation allows for a deeper understanding of the poem’s themes and the cultural values it reflects.