Beowulf

A detailed Summary of Beowulf


In the story Beowulf, translated by Michael Alexander, Grendel and Beowulf are two characters that resemble good and evil in the book. Grendel, a descendant of Cain, is portrayed as a malevolent monster which causes malice throughout the city of Herot. Beowulf is a character that exemplifies great courage and strength in the face of danger. These two characters are quite diverse from each other and have two distinct characteristics in the story.

Grendel depicts a true monster of evil that has no knowledge of good or evil: "Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding round the health and the desolate fens; he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cin's clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outlawed and condemned as outcast" (54). Grendel's attacks on Herot trem


The characters in the poem, are two extremely divers individuals that have different ambitions and priorities. Throughout the story, Beowulf remains the valiant and fearless protagonist, while Grendel causes hurt and damage. Their comparison sets them apart both in temperament and in the way they think.

Beowulf is the heroic figure in the poem who is known throughout the land as a fearless man who performs great deeds of heroism. The most valiant of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die because of his explanation about it before he goes off too war. He says, "And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrehtel, and from Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must" (73). This characteristic of Beowulf makes him a much nobler and true hero to his follow

Some common words found in the essay are:
Herot Beowulf, Grendel Grendel's, Grendel Beowulf, Wayland Fate, , outlawed condemned, herot beowulf, grendel beowulf, story beowulf,

Approximate Word count = 558
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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