Beowulf And Grendel Research Paper

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An old African proverb states that “until the lion learns to write, the story will always glorify the hunter”. Stories have always been told by the more dominant party, for the victim is weakened by the hunter. As children, humans perceived lions as dangerous, violent creatures, but we only believe this because that was what we were told. As people began to hunt lions because they were predators, their species declined to less than 23,000 African lions. There are plenty of other “lions” whose perspectives have been excluded and consequently have been put in danger, especially in literature. In the epic poem Beowulf and John Gardner’s Grendel, Grendel struggles to find a place in the Dane’s society after they isolate him. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein …show more content…
The prejudice based solely on Grendel’s appearance is revealed through seeing his perspective; the audience learns that there was no other reason for Grendel to be pushed out of society because he was the one being targeted. Even though Beowulf portrays Grendel as a monster who had been terrorizing the land of the Danes for twelve years, Grendel reveals his actions were justified because he was frustrated because of his isolation due to their single story. When Frankenstein hears Creature’s story he says, “I was moved. I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent;...and did I not as his maker owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow?” (Shelley 130) After Creature shares with him, Frankenstein realizes that the repetition of the demeaning and berating comments he had said were unnecessary, and he sees that it isolated Creature. He also realizes that the only reason that he was pushing him out was because of the single story he made based on his prejudice about appearance. Snape also has the Wizarding World’s prejudices exposed when he sacrifices himself in the final battle at Hogwarts in order to defeat

Beowulf Grendel Research Paper

in negative behavior. This behavior or reaction can be perceived as monstrous. But is this monstrous behavior inherent? Beowulf Grendel in the poem “Beowulf” is introduced as a terrifying creature that is tormenting the Danes. On page 13 lines 164-166 it says, “So Grendel waged his lonely war, inflicting constant cruelties on the people, atrocious hurt.” At first glance, Grendel can be seen as a bloodthirsty monster who is terrorizing the poor people in Heorot. However, that's not exactly the full…

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Beowulf And Grendel Research Paper

between Beowulf and Grendel. Grendel is a big and fearless monster and Beowulf is a hero. Grendel is a monster that seems to embody evil. He is given no definite shape and very little personality. He seeks to destroy. He kills without mercy. He cannot be reasoned wit. Grendel is described as insensible to pain and human sorrow. Grendel is called fiend out of hell and a banished monster. Grendel thinks he is fearful to everyone. Grendel has been rejected my god. Grendel is an outcast…

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Grendel Vs Beowulf Research Paper

the same case in books. Beowulf and Grendel, from Beowulf, is the hero and the monster of the book and both have an extremely terrifying strength. Though Beowulf and Grendel are both strong and robust, their different characteristics, motive, and actions, present in the book make Beowulf a grander hero. The crucial difference in characteristics between Beowulf and Grendel make Beowulf a grander hero. While Grendel is ferocious, Beowulf is calm and prideful. When Grendel goes to kill people in Herot…

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Comparison Of Empathy In Beowulf And The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Name: University of Affiliation: Course: Date: An Outline of Research Paper I. Introduction A. Introduction strategy: After reading different heroism stories, I have come to know that their fame arises from their physical endowment and the compassion that they have for their people. This is how I came up with my theme statement. B. Thesis statement: Beowulf and The Epic of Gilgamesh demonstrate how various mythical protagonists use physical strength and empathy to achieve heroism among their…

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English Syllabus Essays

Stephen Aubrey T/F 11-12:15 3150B Office: 2311 Boylan Hall e-mail: stephen.aubrey@gmail.com Office Hours: Tues. 12:30-1:30 Required Texts1 A Writer's Reference, Diane Hacker Frankenstein, Mary Shelley Grendel, John Gardner Course Packet (available on Blackboard or at Far Better Copy) Films: Godzilla (1954) Night of the Living Dead (1968) Course Goals The first goal of any course is for you to exit the room asking questions and observing the world…

Words 1289 - Pages 6