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
When the worm attacked, it would “leave nothing alive” (57). Once again, he faces another heartless foe with no regard for human life. After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar warns him of such a fate though a tale of the warrior Heremod. The treasure has a lonely quality to it – “vessels of men of old, with none to polish them . Beowulf’s life was truly epic struggle. While Beowulf could not resist the calling of the riches, his intentions were good. He distributed his wealth among his people, and what he amassed he earned. many a helmet old and rusty” (63). The dragon, greed, is truly Beowulf’s greatest foe: the hero needs assistance in defeating the worm (Wiglaf), and defeats it only at the cost of his life. However, the dragon represents the sin of greed as well as the bloodlust and sheer hatred Grendel possesses. The monsters he battled made it so. Against the dragon, Beowulf is judged. Grendel and the dragon, capable of crushing men physically, stood for evils that could just as easily crush men in spirit.
Common topics in this essay:
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,
|
Acceptance Essays
