The poet describes the Danes as helpless towards the wrath of Grendel. He describes Grendel’s act as a “cruel humiliation” (Beowulf 166) towards the Danes because they could not find his dwelling and they were perpetually drunk, ending in them constantly being available to the wrath of Grendel. Unferth is a prime example of the Danes inexperience and inability to help themselves. The poet criticizes Unferth for not only not attempting to stop Grendel, but also for “becoming your brothers’ killer” (Beowulf 587) and states “for that you needs must suffer punishment in hell” (Beowulf 589). The Christian poet states people who participate in blood feud, like killing their brothers, must face punishment in hell. This is a clear condemnation of the system of blood feuds. Another example is when Beowulf dies and the Geat nation will be destroyed solely due to blood feud. He was able to reign peacefully for 50 years. He did not participate in the blood feuds, so none of the foreign nations had a reason to challenge him. Without him, blood feuds will end the Geat
The poet describes the Danes as helpless towards the wrath of Grendel. He describes Grendel’s act as a “cruel humiliation” (Beowulf 166) towards the Danes because they could not find his dwelling and they were perpetually drunk, ending in them constantly being available to the wrath of Grendel. Unferth is a prime example of the Danes inexperience and inability to help themselves. The poet criticizes Unferth for not only not attempting to stop Grendel, but also for “becoming your brothers’ killer” (Beowulf 587) and states “for that you needs must suffer punishment in hell” (Beowulf 589). The Christian poet states people who participate in blood feud, like killing their brothers, must face punishment in hell. This is a clear condemnation of the system of blood feuds. Another example is when Beowulf dies and the Geat nation will be destroyed solely due to blood feud. He was able to reign peacefully for 50 years. He did not participate in the blood feuds, so none of the foreign nations had a reason to challenge him. Without him, blood feuds will end the Geat