Examples Of Grendel's Quest In Beowulf

The story of Beowulf’s quest and heroic deeds starts off with the request for his aid from another kingdom. Hrothgar sends Beowulf on a hunt for Grendel, an evil monster that has killed many of his soldiers. Grendel’s first appearance is demonic in nature being the complete opposite of Beowulf himself, but this foil just brings out Beowulf’s heroic nature even more. When facing off with Grendel, Beowulf stubbornly turns this situation into one of pride and honor, going so far as stripping his clothes to clash with the foul monster; proving that not only was Beowulf a great warrior, but also a man withholding traits of a super-human. One who’s reputation for strength and ferocity speak on behalf of the legend he’s created. In the beginning Beowulf is asked to journey to another kingdom, because of the noble stories that have been told of him. According to the poem Beowulf left vowing on his …show more content…
There seemingly virtuous nature also came with a sense of strength, as the poem describes Beowulf, “[as a man] with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand,” (49) through all these accomplishments Beowulf’s fame continued to grow. On the other hand there’s Grendel who represents pure evil and animosity. The poem illustrates this when describing Grendel’s origin, “he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts.” (43) Now Grendel was very cunning and powerful, but he was also of weak character, choosing to kill his enemies when they were sleeping, “He grabbed thirty men from their resting places and rushed to his lair, flushed up and inflamed from the raid, blundering back with the butchered corpses.”(44) In answer Beowulf struck back with a vengeance explaining to Hrothgar that it was the only way to show love and loyalty to the people