Grendel and the Dragon in Beowulf
“In my youth I engaged in many wars” (59), Beowulf boasts to his warriors, which is certainly true. Throughout his life, he faces many deadly foes, all of which he handily defeats, save one. His story focuses on the most challenging, as well as morally significant of foes, Grendel and the dragon. These creatures reveal much about society as well as Christian virtue at the time. Even after Grendel and the dragon are defeated physically, the two monsters pose a new threat to the hero on a higher plane. Beowulf is not only at risk of losing his life, but his humanity, virtue, and even spirituality. The first beast the hero faces is the wicked Grendel. At first he appears to be a demon, a “hellish enemy” (28). However, it is soon revealed that he is human, the “kin of Cain” (28). This is a crucial detail involving the lesson Beowulf will learn from this battle. The man-beast always strikes at night while his prey is fast asleep. He has no respect for the fight, preferring to attack the unwary and defenseless. On the night Grendel attacks Heorot with Beowulf lying in wait, Grendel’s most horrid of traits is learned: “He suddenly seized
However, the truly frightening thought behind Grendel is not his bloodlust or cannibalism, but the fact that any man could become such a beast. After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar warns him of such a fate though a tale of the warrior Heremod. When a mighty warrior kills, he loses a fraction of his humanity. The more he kills, the more he develops a killer instinct. Unless he keeps this instinct in check and reminds himself that he fights and kills for a cause, he becomes a monster. In the case of Heremod, “he grew great not for their joy, but for their slaughter, for the destruction of Danish people” (49). Hrothgar knows a mighty warrior such as Beowulf will take the lives of many in his time, and urges him to be mindful of his tale. This knowledge, not the defeat of Grendel and his mother, is Beowulf’s true victory. One would argue that Beowulf was noble and wise enough to realize such a lesson on his own. However, there are several passages in the text where Beowulf bears a resemblance to not only Grendel, but Heremod as well. Before his first meeting with Grendel, the hero is “lying awake for the fierce foe, with heart swollen in anger . . .” (36). In the following paragraph, Grendel himself is described as “driven by evil desire, swollen with rage . . .” (36). Finally, in Hrothgar’s tale, “with swollen heart he [Heremod] killed his table-companions . . .” (49). This is not mere coincidence, but proof that Beowulf has that bloodlust and his humanity is endangered. However, through the wise words of Hrothgar, he is saved. a sleeping man, tore at him ravenously, bit into his bone-locks, drank the blood from his veins, swallowed huge morsels; quickly had he eaten all of the lifeless one, feet and hands” (36). This utter disrespect that the supposed ‘man’ shows for human life is a testament to his complete lack of humanity. Any such qualities have rotted inside of him, replaced by hatred. He delights in slau
Some common words found in the essay are:
Grendel Beowulf’s, Heorot Beowulf, Dragon Beowulf, Finally Hrothgar’s, Grendel Heremod, treasure hoard, grendel dragon, ”, ” 36, ” 36, mighty warrior, human life, beowulf’s greed, dragon beowulf,
Approximate Word count = 1373
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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