Beowulf and His Monsters - Literature review Example

Beowulf and his Monsters The ancient English poem known as Beowulf is one of the world’s longest and greatest epic tales. It is a traditional storyof how good triumphs over evil and a follows the adventures of a relentless hero who does not fear death. The poem has survived over centuries and embodies themes that are relevant now as when it was composed. Themes such as evil, revenge, loyalty, envy and greed are prominent throughout the poem. The monsters that Beowulf encounters and slays do not exist solely for entertainment purposes but each embodies particular themes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the monsters who Beowulf encounters in battle and their significance in relation to the greater themes that are prominent throughout the poem. One of the prominent themes within the poem is envy. Envy is an ugly disease that makes both men and monsters perform tasks, which they would not normally undertake. The opening of the poem is joyous and full of celebration because of the great Hrothgar. Although, the world seems perfect at this point, it is obvious that envy is not growing, “Nor far was that day/when father and son-in-law stood in feud /for warfare and hatred/that woke again /with envy and anger an evil spirit" (1:3-4). The first attack comes from a monster called Grendel who is a descendant of Cain, son of Adam and Eve. Traditionally, Cain is known as an evil and jealous character because he slayed his brother Abel out of envy. As a punishment for his crime, Cain and his descendents are shunned from the light of God and must dwell in eternal misery. Cain’s blood has an enormous impact upon his descendents, especially Grendel who harbors the same envy as his ancestor. Grendel does not understand why man is blessed with joy and happiness and he is blessed with darkness and misery. To Grendel, mans existence is one full of sunshine and laughter and his existence is full of gloom and turmoil. Grendel could not bear man’s happiness any longer and decided to attack, "So lived/the clansmen in cheer and revel/a winsome life, till one began/to fashion evils, that field of hell/Grendel this monster grim was called"(1:4-5). Grendel’s physique is not completely different from that of a human except for the fact that he is much larger. His size is a representation of his enormous rage and frustration against humanity. He is also a representation of the envy men have for one another. In the banquet hall, he witnesses warriors and friends celebrating their victories and good fortune and is outraged because he cannot have the same experience. In a sense, he pities himself as well as envies the warriors. Grendal appears to be somewhat human except for his size, which sets him apart from the crowd and singles him out as the enemy. Because he is portrayed as semi-human, his feelings must be similar to those of any normal man. His motivations and actions are easier to relate to because of his appearance. Like any normal man, he is happiest when he sees his enemies weak and vulnerable, "He spied in hall the hero-band/kin and clansmen clustered asleep/hardy liegemen/Then laughed his heart"(11:1). At this moment, he finds the perfect opportunity to attack and take a piece of what he thinks he deserves. The slaying of Grendel can be taken as a lesson that actions driven by envy are never justifiable and are often met with unsuccessful results. Along with envy, Grendel is also a classic representation of evil. Being a descendant of Cain, Grendel is shunned by God and any type of goodness. He has only himself, his mother and his sins to keep him company. He is angry with God and wants to punish all those protected by His light. Throughout the poem, Grendel is always covered in darkness and Beowulf and his men are always in the light. For example, Grendel always observes the sunshine or the firelight that surrounds the men and wonders why the light never seems to hit him. During the period in which the poem was written, the world was split into groups of tribes. Survival depended on killing the enemy and claiming victory for your king. Beowulf is the classic hero. He is well loved by the king, victorious in battles and wants to protect the warriors from harm thus he represents good. Grendel on the other hand is an outcast of society because he does not belong to any tribe. Beowulf and his men do not have any information about Grendal except for the fact that he lives in a cave therefore making him strange and evil. Beowulf is sure that God is on his side and will help him destroy the evil Grendel. In a sense, Beowulf is confident that God is protecting him from evil. It is clear from the gifts Beowulf receives after he slays Grendal that victory over evil has many rewards. The next monster Beowulf encounters is Grendel’s mothers who is outraged by her son’s death. She embodies the theme of revenge. Although she is not as large or as powerful as Grendel she is determeined to find her sons remains and kill his murderers. She goes to the hall in order to hunt the killers. Although, at some point she must realize that she is no match for all of the men, her power is fuelled by her anger over her only son’s death, "she hurled herself, hent her short sword/broad and brown-edged/thebairn to avenge/the sole-born son"(22:1-2). Grendel’s mothers actions are rash and are not clearly though out. Her methods are not clever but are driven by passion; she is the classic embodiment of revenge. Those who are driven solely by revenge are hardly ever successful in accomplishing their goals. In contrast, Beowulf is not driven solely by revenge or anger but also by loyalty, honor and of course fame. He does not want to play the role of victim so he decides to fight and claim victory rather than die. Another theme embodied by Grendel’s mother is that of loyalty. Grendel was the only family that his mother had; the two of them lived together in a cave isolated from the rest of the world. She believes that her son was unjustly taken away from her and must pay respect to his memory. She does not want his corpse to lay among his killers but wants to bring him home. Grendel and Grendel’s mother can be described as a small tribe much like Beowulf and his men. Like Beowulf, she is loyal to her tribe and wants proper payment for its destruction. Like Wiglaf whose loyalty drove him to fight along side Beowulf even when the odds were greatly stacked against them, Grendel’s mother’s loyalty to her son drives her to battle against the odds. The final monster that Beowulf encounters is the notorious dragon who leads to the hero’s downfall. The dragon is larger and more powerful than the previous two monsters but Beowulf is determined to slay him. The third and final monster represents the greed, which is evident throughout the poem. Angered by the theft of a singe goblet from his treasure, the dragon wrecks havoc upon entire villages in order to retrieve what is rightfully his. The dragons home is where the greedy come to meet their downfall, "saw store of jewels/and glistening gold the ground along/by the wall were marvels/and many a vessel/in the den of the dragon, the dawn-flier old/unburnished bowls of bygone men /reft of richness". The dragon represents the temptation that drives men to endure dangerous situations in hopes of finding riches and fame. The dragon is not only outraged over the theft of his goblet but also over the greed of humankind. The dragon is the punisher of the greedy. Instead of leaving younger members of his tribe to battle the dragon, Beowulf is determined to slay the dragon himself. Although he is very old at this point and has leaded a rich and adventurous life, Beowulf is still greedy. He is greedy for more fame. Like any normal king, he respects his role as protector of his kingdom and takes it very seriously but unlike a normal king, he does not ask for assistance in this battle. He knows that he is old and does not have much time left on earth so he would like to have ole victory over the dragon, "but me alone/to measure might with this monster here and play the hero"(35:3). The dragon also represents Beowulf’s ego. Throughout his life, Beowulf has always been victorious and does not know any other way of life. He has already slayed two terrifying monsters and needs to prove to himself that he can slay another one. In a sense, Beowulf is living in the past and refuses to accept that his old age may not allow him to slay another monster. He reflects on his past and the monsters he has killed. Instead of feeling satisfied over his many victories, he is hungry for another one. He does not realize that he might die in battle but only dreams of more glory. Regardless of its age, Beowulf remains a classic poem that has inspired countless writers, poets and readers. Beowulf’s bravery mixed with his ego and desire for fame makes it easy for modern day readers to relate to him. The poem has survived for centuries and centuries because its themes are universal and constant throughout the ages. Rage, envy, jealously, power and glory are just as sought after now as they were in Beowulf’s time. Each day people are constantly battling their own personal monsters in hope of achieving glory. Beowulf is not some ancient poem stowed away on a dusty library self but a living philosophy that encourages the meekest soul to go out into the world and fight for what they desire. Works Cited Beowulf. Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library. 19 July 2007. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/AnoBeow.html. Read More

In a sense, he pities himself as well as envies the warriors. Grendal appears to be somewhat human except for his size, which sets him apart from the crowd and singles him out as the enemy. Because he is portrayed as semi-human, his feelings must be similar to those of any normal man. His motivations and actions are easier to relate to because of his appearance. Like any normal man, he is happiest when he sees his enemies weak and vulnerable, "He spied in hall the hero-band/kin and clansmen clustered asleep/hardy liegemen/Then laughed his heart"(11:1).

At this moment, he finds the perfect opportunity to attack and take a piece of what he thinks he deserves. The slaying of Grendel can be taken as a lesson that actions driven by envy are never justifiable and are often met with unsuccessful results. Along with envy, Grendel is also a classic representation of evil. Being a descendant of Cain, Grendel is shunned by God and any type of goodness. He has only himself, his mother and his sins to keep him company. He is angry with God and wants to punish all those protected by His light.

Throughout the poem, Grendel is always covered in darkness and Beowulf and his men are always in the light. For example, Grendel always observes the sunshine or the firelight that surrounds the men and wonders why the light never seems to hit him. During the period in which the poem was written, the world was split into groups of tribes. Survival depended on killing the enemy and claiming victory for your king. Beowulf is the classic hero. He is well loved by the king, victorious in battles and wants to protect the warriors from harm thus he represents good.

Grendel on the other hand is an outcast of society because he does not belong to any tribe. Beowulf and his men do not have any information about Grendal except for the fact that he lives in a cave therefore making him strange and evil. Beowulf is sure that God is on his side and will help him destroy the evil Grendel. In a sense, Beowulf is confident that God is protecting him from evil. It is clear from the gifts Beowulf receives after he slays Grendal that victory over evil has many rewards.

The next monster Beowulf encounters is Grendel’s mothers who is outraged by her son’s death. She embodies the theme of revenge. Although she is not as large or as powerful as Grendel she is determeined to find her sons remains and kill his murderers. She goes to the hall in order to hunt the killers. Although, at some point she must realize that she is no match for all of the men, her power is fuelled by her anger over her only son’s death, "she hurled herself, hent her short sword/broad and brown-edged/thebairn to avenge/the sole-born son"(22:1-2).

Grendel’s mothers actions are rash and are not clearly though out. Her methods are not clever but are driven by passion; she is the classic embodiment of revenge. Those who are driven solely by revenge are hardly ever successful in accomplishing their goals. In contrast, Beowulf is not driven solely by revenge or anger but also by loyalty, honor and of course fame. He does not want to play the role of victim so he decides to fight and claim victory rather than die. Another theme embodied by Grendel’s mother is that of loyalty.

Grendel was the only family that his mother had; the two of them lived together in a cave isolated from the rest of the world. She believes that her son was unjustly taken away from her and must pay respect to his memory. She does not want his corpse to lay among his killers but wants to bring him home. Grendel and Grendel’s mother can be described as a small tribe much like Beowulf and his men. Like Beowulf, she is loyal to her tribe and wants proper payment for its destruction. Like Wiglaf whose loyalty drove him to fight along side Beowulf even when the odds were greatly stacked against them, Grendel’s mother’s loyalty to her son drives her to battle against the odds.

The final monster that Beowulf encounters is the notorious dragon who leads to the hero’s downfall.

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