Beowulf paper
Fears manifest themselves in the minds of men as monsters. The monsters of Beowulf symbolize those fears that course through the minds of the characters, and carry substantial themes that progress throughout the epic. Men combat fears on several levels. Physically, men fear monsters because of their hideous appearance, and great strength. Psychologically, monsters act as illusions in order to mask the fears of men. Originally perceived as opposing God, and divine entities, monsters produce a spiritual fear embedded deeply within the minds of men. Monsters play a significant role altogether in and throughout Beowulf. Monsters in Beowulf pose a physical threat to society. "And now alone I shall settle affairs with Grendel, the monster, the demon." Beowulf tells the people of Herot that he will rescue them from Grendel, the monster. The excerpt portrays Grendel as a physical being that frightens the Herot citizens. Beowulf reassures everyone that he will cleanse the town of the evil impurities. "Grendel and the dragon are threats to the security of the lands they infest just as human enemies would be, but they are not part of the social order and presumably have no one to avenge their deaths..." The quotation describes the physic
Both Man and society recognize the importance of religion and spirituality. Monsters have a negative connotation, and many see monsters as evil, opposing goodness, which represents yet another fear of society. Monsters lack the goodness and faith that remains essential in Beowulf's, and the people of his society's, religion and beliefs. "The grim spirit was called Grendel, known as a rover of the borders, one who held the moors, fen and fastness. Unhappy creature, he lived for a time in the home of the monsters' race, after God had condemned them as kin of Cain." Grendel a descendant of Cain, murderer of his brother, opposes God. Grendel contradicts God because of his kinship to Cain. Grendel depicts evil, and man fears Grendel because of his opposition to God. "The monsters had been the foes of the gods, the captains of men and within Time the monsters would win." The quotation, obtained from Tolkien's critique of Beowulf, explains that monsters contradict God, and men. Ev! al fears that men have facing the monsters and dragons. The fear unmistakably creates problems for the people, because of their inability to enter their mead hall after dusk, for fear of Grendel, one of the many monsters in the epic. The created physical fear in the minds of men, calls for the need of a warrior to save the people from their dilemma, by defeating the! ation from Beowulf explains the fear men have of entering the mead hall after dusk for fear of the monster, Grendel. Grendel represents the warriors' fears
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Approximate Word count = 1015
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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