Grendel's Mother In Beowulf

In the epic poem, Beowulf, the hero battles three formidable enemies: the monstrous Grendel, his horrifying mother, and the dragon. Each Battle has its own unique weapons and outcomes. Against Grendel, Beowulf uses his bare hands. However, Grendel’s mother is a more difficult problem because not only is she more powerful than her son, but she is also lives under water in a fiery lake protected by sea monsters. Beowulf’s age and prowess as a hero are in decline. His physical and perhaps his mental abilities have deteriorated, but he still feels it is his duty as king to protect his people, as he tells his men, “This fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me to measure himself against the monster or prove his worth”(681-685). With …show more content…
In the poem it says, “ He knew the sea, would point the prow/ Straight to that distant Danish shore” (123-124). With this, Beowulf, eager to prove himself, set sail to the mead hall. When Beowulf arrives he is greeted warmly by Hrothgar and his men, and was then told the many stories of Grendel. After all the stories were told the Danes and visiting Geats begin to celebrate what they hope to be a defeat of the vicious Grendel. As everyone passes out in the hall, Beowulf sits patiently, waiting for Grendel to make his appearance. In the passage it says, “Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred Grendel came hoping to kill” (392-394). With this Grendel enters the hall, and begins attacking the sleeping guests. As he is attacking, the men attempt to defend themselves but Grendel had cursed their man made weapons, therefore nothing worked. Beowulf then thought, “My hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life/ against the monster” (172-174). Beowulf then attacks the monster, ripping off his arm. After the defeat of the monster they begin celebrating once again, not knowing that it was not yet the end of their