Developing an Identity: Monsters and Heroes in Beowulf In the epic poem, Beowulf, Beowulf is clearly the hero, and Grendel is the monster. A good Anglo-Saxon plot often necessitates the dichotomy of good versus evil. Nothing connotes these opposing forces like a hero slaying a monster. Oftentimes a reader will blindly accept a character’s position or role simply because the author suggested so. How did these characters identities develop them into good or bad? As seen in Beowulf, identity as either hero or monster is formed through lineage, tribe, and reputation. Lineage was an important facet of Beowulf. In fact, within the first eighty lines readers are met with a detailed account of the beginnings of the Danish kingdom. Throughout the poem
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An attendant stood by with a decorated pitcher, pouring bright helpings of mead. And the minstrel sang, filing Heorot with his head-clearing voice, gladdening that great rally of Geats and Danes”(491-498).
Community and companionship was fundamental for a thriving comitatus. One of the great symbols of tribe in the Anglo-Saxon world, and especially in Beowulf was that of the mead hall. The mead hall is where warriors gathered to feast, make beots, and receive gifts. These activities were indicative of a prospering tribe. Comparatively, Grendel does not have a mead-hall, he had only a mere. He had no people save for his mother, and had no kith to share life with. From his devilish lake he could hear King Hrothgar’s men frolicking in fellowship. “A prowler through the dark,/nursed a hard grievance. It harrowed him/ to hear the din of the loud banquet/every day in the hall” (86-89). Loneliness led him to hatefulness:
“So Grendel waged his lonely war, inflicting constant cruelties on the people, atrocious hurt. He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall after dark, but the throne itself, the
An attendant stood by with a decorated pitcher, pouring bright helpings of mead. And the minstrel sang, filing Heorot with his head-clearing voice, gladdening that great rally of Geats and Danes”(491-498).
Community and companionship was fundamental for a thriving comitatus. One of the great symbols of tribe in the Anglo-Saxon world, and especially in Beowulf was that of the mead hall. The mead hall is where warriors gathered to feast, make beots, and receive gifts. These activities were indicative of a prospering tribe. Comparatively, Grendel does not have a mead-hall, he had only a mere. He had no people save for his mother, and had no kith to share life with. From his devilish lake he could hear King Hrothgar’s men frolicking in fellowship. “A prowler through the dark,/nursed a hard grievance. It harrowed him/ to hear the din of the loud banquet/every day in the hall” (86-89). Loneliness led him to hatefulness:
“So Grendel waged his lonely war, inflicting constant cruelties on the people, atrocious hurt. He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall after dark, but the throne itself, the