Contrast of Beowulf and Grendel

” In Beowulf, however, the feeling of empathy is shifted toward the humans because Grendel is depicted as an evil demon that enjoys killing humans. Grendel is not a part of the race of men but a “demon grim. Thus, it is obvious the two works differ on the depiction of Grendel’s conscience. ” Grendel tells of his fear of Beowulf, “He was dangerous. In fact, Grendel appears to be the character that is abused. Beowulf, however, begins in the twelfth year of Grendel’s attacks on Beowulf and his thanes. In comparing the novel with the epic, one realizes there are many differences. The epic Beowulf is considered of the greatest works in the English language. ” “Grim and greedy the gruesome monster,” attacks Hrothgar’s court and unmercifully kills his men. Although he is initially curious about the humans and tries to make friends, man labels him as different and throws him out of Heorot. It embodies the characteristics of the poet’s culture. He exclaims that killing the humans leaves him with an empty feeling, and makes him “feel depressed. He bellows about his inability to speak to his own mother, “She had forgotten all language long ago…I’d never heard her speak to the other shapes. ” In Beowulf, on the other hand, Grendel is evil because he is from evil, and he has no remorse what so ever. In conclusion, has greater insight into Grendel’s character in the novel than in the epic as a result of the different time frames of the plots.