Beowulf’s first battle took place in a familiar setting; a mead-hall with fellow soldiers. This gave him a slight advantage over Grendel, since he felt comfortable on the battle ground. However, he had to travel to the home of the monster in order to fight his second battle. Not only was it foreign ground, but it was not meant to even be welcome to humans, as it was underwater and “a day’s-length elapsed ere / He was able to see the sea at its bottom” (XXIII, 22-23). The battle against Grendel’s mother proved to be more difficult because her dwelling was in a location foreign to Beowulf, giving her the
Beowulf’s first battle took place in a familiar setting; a mead-hall with fellow soldiers. This gave him a slight advantage over Grendel, since he felt comfortable on the battle ground. However, he had to travel to the home of the monster in order to fight his second battle. Not only was it foreign ground, but it was not meant to even be welcome to humans, as it was underwater and “a day’s-length elapsed ere / He was able to see the sea at its bottom” (XXIII, 22-23). The battle against Grendel’s mother proved to be more difficult because her dwelling was in a location foreign to Beowulf, giving her the