Grendel is ‘a powerful monster, living down in pain’; a descendant of Cain, Grendel lives under an inherited curse of God. This monster is one of Beowulf’s first adversaries. Grendel has no fear as he approaches Herot on the night that Beowulf ambushes him.

Out from the marsh…Grendel came, hoping to kill. He has visited Hrothgar’s home before, knew the way- but never before…found Herot defended so firmly, his reception so harsh. And rushed angrily over the threshold. He strode quickly across the inlaid floor snarling and fierce. Seeing the hall crowded with sleeping warriors…his heart laughed. He intended to tear the life from those bodies. (Lines 710-30)

umes that his nights of bloody devouring will continue, and unlike Beowulf, he hardly gives attention to his method of attack. He acts without thinking; he has no knowledge of weapons, and depends on his strength and his violent behavior to destroy whatever he hates and envies. Beowulf overcomes Grendels’ brute strength and defeats him. The fight with Grendel, prepares Beowulf for his next two major conflicts.

The dragon symbolizes death. No one can escape its fatality, not even the greatest hero; he can only succeed in killing the dragon by killing himself- the result is the same. Near the end of one’s life, a crisis erupts; no one can escape it- only prolong the inevitability.

Then he saw the mighty water witch, and swung his sword…straight at her head…No sword could silence her evil skin. (Lines 1518-23) Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons…desperate, lifted it high over his head and struck with all the strength he had left. (Lines 1557-65)

Sometimes when traditional solutions do not work, new means of solving the problem must be introduced. In this particular fight, Grendels’ mother could not be defeated by the regular ‘beat down,’ even though Unferth gave him

Some topics in this essay:
Beowulf Grendel, Cain Grendel, Hrunting Beowulf, Beowulf Grendels’, , Dragon Grendel, grendels’ mother, Grendel Grendels’, Geats Danes, grendel mother, one’s life, current situation, mother dragon, beowulf ambushes,