Beowulf
What causes each monster’s attack on humanity? And once you’ve defined the cause(s), figure out what each may say about society’s progression or downfall.
Grendel attacks because he hears the people in the mead hall sing and celebrate, but it is never made clear whether those are his true intentions or not. His existence and attack might symbolize someone who has lost all of their humanity. He is described as a descendent of Cain, the Biblical character that murdered his own brother. Perhaps, he was once a normal person until his jealousy and hatred drove him to become a monster. The poet tells that Grendel ate his victims whole, not leaving any part out. Signifying that he is a cannibal, which is considered immoral by most people, adding to the monster archetype. He represents the individual’s downfall and the impact they ultimately have on society if they are not controlled.
Grendel’s mother is the symbol of a mother’s love for her son. She hunted down Beowulf in order enact her revenge for the murder of Grendel. In the entirety of Beowulf, strong and powerful women are not mentioned, women strong enough to nearly kill the main character, a man, with the exception of Grendel’s mother. She serves the purpose of illustrating the old belief that …show more content…
The dragon is described as being enormous and breathing poisonous fire. It is told that when attacks the dragon, his sword fails, implying that the beast is much stronger than any other he has faced. The dragon also is capable of burning down the throne, which can be interpreted that he is not a creature that has any regard for the idea of God, he is the Devil. The fight with the dragon serves to show Beowulf’s weaknesses, his aging and stubbornness. He orders his men to let him fight alone, and the majority of them listen, showing how his egoistic manners and unwillingness to accept help ultimately led to his
What causes each monster’s attack on humanity? And once you’ve defined the cause(s), figure out what each may say about society’s progression or downfall.
Grendel attacks because he hears the people in the mead hall sing and celebrate, but it is never made clear whether those are his true intentions or not. His existence and attack might symbolize someone who has lost all of their humanity. He is described as a descendent of Cain, the Biblical character that murdered his own brother. Perhaps, he was once a normal person until his jealousy and hatred drove him to become a monster. The poet tells that Grendel ate his victims whole, not leaving any part out. Signifying that he is a cannibal, which is considered immoral by most people, adding to the monster archetype. He represents the individual’s downfall and the impact they ultimately have on society if they are not controlled.
Grendel’s mother is the symbol of a mother’s love for her son. She hunted down Beowulf in order enact her revenge for the murder of Grendel. In the entirety of Beowulf, strong and powerful women are not mentioned, women strong enough to nearly kill the main character, a man, with the exception of Grendel’s mother. She serves the purpose of illustrating the old belief that …show more content…
The dragon is described as being enormous and breathing poisonous fire. It is told that when attacks the dragon, his sword fails, implying that the beast is much stronger than any other he has faced. The dragon also is capable of burning down the throne, which can be interpreted that he is not a creature that has any regard for the idea of God, he is the Devil. The fight with the dragon serves to show Beowulf’s weaknesses, his aging and stubbornness. He orders his men to let him fight alone, and the majority of them listen, showing how his egoistic manners and unwillingness to accept help ultimately led to his