Examining Monsters In Beowulf
Man has always faced hardships to survive. In the early Middle Ages the epic poem Beowulf, personifies the trials of man in the form of three monsters that had to be defeated. These three monsters each represent the impurities of man and of the world. With each battle the monsters become more difficult to battle, and are more powerful than the last. Ultimately Beowulf is defeated. But it is a struggle that becomes important. Grendel is the first monster described in Beowulf. Grendel possesses the mark of Cain. In the Book of Genesis, Cain murdered his brother Abel. Grendel is a descendent of Cain’s hatred. “He had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts” (35, line 104-107). At night Grendel would sneak up to the hall and attack the men. He would wait until they became so drunk and all their inhibitions were gone, that they had no ability to protect themselves. “Grendel set out for the lofty house, to see how the Ring-Danes were settling into it after their drink, and there he came upon them”(35, line 115-119). It was a collective fear for Grendal; it was not just one person who feared him. Grendel’s superhuman size
This final combat proves to be the most difficult for Beowulf because he has become soft and complacent after reigning as king for fifty years. In this the final battle with a monster, Beowulf must use a weapon and get assistance from his comrade to slay the dragon. The next monster Beowulf faces is Grendel’s mother. She vows to revenge her son and kill Beowulf. “She has taken up the feud because of last night when you killed Grendel”(62, line 1333-1334). Thus, the king must defend the people of Heorot again. In the end, Beowulf loses his life but only after the dragon is slain. “Beowulf discovered deadly poison suppurating inside him, surges of nausea…”(90,line 2713-2715). , strength, and hostility much resembled the popular fictional idea of Satan. “Malignant in nature, he never showed remorse”(35 line 137). The third and final monster that Beowulf must attack does not appear until the end of the epic. The dragon is much fiercer and meaner then Grendel and Grendel’s mother put together. Unlike the other two monsters, the dragon lacks human qualities. By this time Beowulf has become king and has ruled his kingdom for fifty years. The dragon is awakened when a man stumbles upon a cave full of treasure that the dragon is guarding. “ There was a hidden passage unknown to men, but someone managed to enter by it and interfere
Some topics in this essay:
Heorot Beowulf,
Beowulf Grendel’s,
Abel Grendel,
Grendel Grendel’s,
Grendel Beowulf,
Middle Ages,
King English,
Ultimately Beowulf,
grendel’s mother,
Beowulf Grendel,
,
monster beowulf,
final battle,
difficult battle,
epic poem,
death die,
followed warriors,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 924
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
CUSTOMER SERVICES
| |
|
Example Essays Home
