Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight both feature antagonists that could be considered monsters. These two characters are the primary entities that challenge their heroes in their following stories. A monster by normal standards is an ugly and ferocious creature that strike fear into others, but the definition of monster can be loosely taken and adapted into anything. Specifically a source that summons a great amount of anxiety for other people. Grendel and the Green Knight are our horrendous beings that fit the term monster but one creature in mind truly depicts the word monster, Grendel.
Notably Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has memorable and mysterious monster that goes by the name the Green Knight. The Green Knight is an intimidating …show more content…
So bold in his blood-and so brainless in his head- that he dares to stoutly exchange one stroke for another... “ (The Gawain Poet ll. 63-67). What is more, comparing The Green Knight’s behavior to typical nightmarish monsters there is a big difference attached to his character already. He isn’t forcing anyone to come forth and feel the tremendous strength of his power. It’s the opposite. He is issuing a challenge and is asking for a volunteer. Let alone the Green Knight is for sure intimidating but there’s a gentle side to him that chips this monstrous image of his. It is soon revealed that when Gawain strikes the Green Knight’s head off, he is a being of magic. His head simply rolls onto the floor while his body stands healthy creating an eerie scene. This magic property adds an inhuman characteristic to the Green knight creating a closer image of a monster to him despite his passive behavior. There’s this buildup of him being something unknown, unique, and darkly intelligent that adds anxiety …show more content…
From the bat Grendel is introduced as a ravenous individual “...conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God...” (The Gawain Poet ll. 20-22). His origin early reveals that he spawned from a murderous and savage human being from the biblical story, Cain and Abel. That is to say this ensues that Grendel's blood is that of evil and as the epic barely starts Grendel demonstrates malice actions. “The monster's thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: He slipped through the door and there in the silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them...” (Beowulf ll. 35-37). Thus altogether evidence shows the heinous workings of Grendel and further into the epic displays destructive traits of the creation of Cain. Grendel is built up to be the villain of the story as he kills multiply people and relishes in glee because of his murders. Hence, unlike the Green Knight, Grendel motives are dripping with vileness and intends to cause carnage as he goes. Even the description the epic gives to Grendel is meant to depict a ruthless beast who hungers for blood, “The shadow of death hunted in the darkness, stalked Hrothgar's warriors, old and young, lying in waiting, hidden in mist, invisibly following them from the edge of the marsh, always there, unseen.” (Beowulf ll. 74-78).At any rate in that being the case in the end Grendel fulfills his role as the antagonist and
Notably Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has memorable and mysterious monster that goes by the name the Green Knight. The Green Knight is an intimidating …show more content…
So bold in his blood-and so brainless in his head- that he dares to stoutly exchange one stroke for another... “ (The Gawain Poet ll. 63-67). What is more, comparing The Green Knight’s behavior to typical nightmarish monsters there is a big difference attached to his character already. He isn’t forcing anyone to come forth and feel the tremendous strength of his power. It’s the opposite. He is issuing a challenge and is asking for a volunteer. Let alone the Green Knight is for sure intimidating but there’s a gentle side to him that chips this monstrous image of his. It is soon revealed that when Gawain strikes the Green Knight’s head off, he is a being of magic. His head simply rolls onto the floor while his body stands healthy creating an eerie scene. This magic property adds an inhuman characteristic to the Green knight creating a closer image of a monster to him despite his passive behavior. There’s this buildup of him being something unknown, unique, and darkly intelligent that adds anxiety …show more content…
From the bat Grendel is introduced as a ravenous individual “...conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God...” (The Gawain Poet ll. 20-22). His origin early reveals that he spawned from a murderous and savage human being from the biblical story, Cain and Abel. That is to say this ensues that Grendel's blood is that of evil and as the epic barely starts Grendel demonstrates malice actions. “The monster's thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: He slipped through the door and there in the silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them...” (Beowulf ll. 35-37). Thus altogether evidence shows the heinous workings of Grendel and further into the epic displays destructive traits of the creation of Cain. Grendel is built up to be the villain of the story as he kills multiply people and relishes in glee because of his murders. Hence, unlike the Green Knight, Grendel motives are dripping with vileness and intends to cause carnage as he goes. Even the description the epic gives to Grendel is meant to depict a ruthless beast who hungers for blood, “The shadow of death hunted in the darkness, stalked Hrothgar's warriors, old and young, lying in waiting, hidden in mist, invisibly following them from the edge of the marsh, always there, unseen.” (Beowulf ll. 74-78).At any rate in that being the case in the end Grendel fulfills his role as the antagonist and