Monsters have roamed the Earth since the beginning of time. As the Earth evolved, so did monsters and how they presented themselves. The epic poem Beowulf takes readers through a story involving a mighty hero and many different monsters, and the hardships the hero, Beowulf, has to face. It all starts with a great hall being built, called Heorot Hall, and this attracts the demon Grendel who wreaks havoc on King Hrothgar’s people until Beowulf comes and kills Grendel. Soon after, Beowulf has to kill Grendel’s mother, who is on a vendetta, and finally a dragon that is threatening the livelihood of the village’s people. In this story and time, monster means a literal monster; a spawn of Satan, a descendant of Cain, something that is of the supernatural
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( Heaney, 159-163)
In this quote on page 159, it is explained that nobody is safe from the monsters; “All were endangered” meaning that the monster did not care who it killed. The fear caused is very evident in the passage because the villagers are basically defenseless against Grendel, as he attacks in the night and is virtually unseen. Because the monsters follow no rules, they wreak havoc at any chance that they get. Although Grendel only attacks at night that does not mean that all monsters are limited to that time of day.
The term monster has adopted many different meanings and can be used in many different contexts. Merriam-Webster defines monster in two main definitions. One definition is “an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening” which goes along with the definition of a monster one thousand years ago. The second definition is more modern with the word meaning “an inhumanly cruel or wicked person.” In today’s society, this is someone that has committed a crime that is unacceptable in any culture around the world. This is the most common use of the term, and describes people like terrorists, or war criminals. It could also be used as an insult, or maybe even a joke. The term monster has needed to evolve over time, because humanity’s beliefs did. Back in 1000AD, humans may have believed in Satan-like spawns, but today, the idea of monsters roaming the Earth in the form of demons is
( Heaney, 159-163)
In this quote on page 159, it is explained that nobody is safe from the monsters; “All were endangered” meaning that the monster did not care who it killed. The fear caused is very evident in the passage because the villagers are basically defenseless against Grendel, as he attacks in the night and is virtually unseen. Because the monsters follow no rules, they wreak havoc at any chance that they get. Although Grendel only attacks at night that does not mean that all monsters are limited to that time of day.
The term monster has adopted many different meanings and can be used in many different contexts. Merriam-Webster defines monster in two main definitions. One definition is “an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening” which goes along with the definition of a monster one thousand years ago. The second definition is more modern with the word meaning “an inhumanly cruel or wicked person.” In today’s society, this is someone that has committed a crime that is unacceptable in any culture around the world. This is the most common use of the term, and describes people like terrorists, or war criminals. It could also be used as an insult, or maybe even a joke. The term monster has needed to evolve over time, because humanity’s beliefs did. Back in 1000AD, humans may have believed in Satan-like spawns, but today, the idea of monsters roaming the Earth in the form of demons is