Some call him a monster; others call him an intellectual humanoid. Beowulf is a long, dignified epic poem that was initially made during the Anglo-Saxon period. The story begins with Grendel attacking Heorot, King Hrothgar’s famous mead-hall. The story ends with Beowulf dying while killing the dragon. Grendel is one of three antagonists in Beowulf, along with Grendel’s mother and the dragon. Throughout the poem, Grendel is seen as the bad guy. The author of Beowulf created the character, Grendel, to symbolize an association of darkness.
Grendel is associated with darkness is because of his raiding of Heorot. Towards the beginning of Beowulf, Grendel attacks Heorot by attacking and capturing the men. This act by Grendel is one of the reasons why many people consider him evil. One reason for this act could be that he was hungry or maybe King Hrothgar did something to him. His motive is completely up to the readers.
Along with his raiding of Heorot, Grendel’s Lair is seen as an association of darkness. In the beginning of Beowulf, the author states that a powerful monster lives in the marshes, and made his home in a hell; not hell but earth. This statement clearly states that Grendel lives in a dark, damp place at the bottom of the marshes. Mainly in literature, bottom means down, cold, and darkness. Because of this dark place, many people believe that he is the embodiment of evil.
Grendel also received many nicknames associating with evil. For example, the author refers to Grendel as a monster born of Cain. The expression “a monster born of Cain” mainly represents evil. This is because Cain, in the Bible, committed the first murder. Because of this murder, Cain fathered all evil beings that plagued mankind. Grendel receives many more nicknames besides “a monster born of Cain.”
Grendel’s raiding of Heorot, Grendel’s Lair, and Grendel’s nicknames are three reasons why Grendel is portrayed as an association of darkness. The author wanted his readers to see Grendel as an evil creature through his actions. The author also wants us to see Grendel as a savage beast by his living styles. Finally, the author wants us to see Grendel as the embodiment of evil by his nicknames. If Grendel were alive today, he would be on the Above-the-Influence commercials as the bad guy.
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