The Monsters of Beowulf

             Grendel in reality could symbolize a group of outcast males jealous of Hrothgar and his thanes. Described as "the Lord's outcast"(line 169) and "[waging] his lonely war"(line 164), the group of men, or Grendel, that attacks Heorot are alone and outcasts because they defy the Anglo-Saxon ideal. A good Anglo-Saxon would have not attacked the people and would have shared the greatness of Heorot, showing the Anglo-Saxon values of brotherhood and generosity. However, the group of greedy men "[inflicted] constant cruelties on the people [and] took over Heorot"(lines 165-6), which was not very Anglo-Saxon-like because they did the opposite of what was expected of them; they did not embrace their neighbors and they wanted to keep Heorot to themselves. In addition to that, the fact that "it harrowed him to hear the din of the loud banquet every day in the hall, the harp being struck and the clear song of a skilled poet"(lines 87-91) reveals his envy of the great fortune of Hrothgar. He has a "hall of halls"(line 78), plenty of food and wine, entertainment, and everything any Anglo-Saxon would desire. Grendel attacked and raided Heorot, but it could easily have been a group of greedy men. This group of men "[had] no idea of the arts of war, of shield or sword-play"(lines 681-2) and lacked honor. A real warrior would face up to his opponent bravely whereas they sneaked into Heorot and attacked the Danes in their sleep. Towards the end of the fight between Grendel and Beowulf, instead of wanting to stay and die an honorable death, the group of outcasts wanted to "take a roundabout road and flee"(line 762). When "the monster's whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lapping burst"(lines 814-818) the group of outcasts scattered and retreated. The dying Grendel signifies the nearing end of the group of outcasts as a whole and the arm left behind is the men killed by Beowulf and his men.