Beowulf Good Vs Evil

“In his day, he was the mightiest man on earth highborn and powerful. He ordered a boat that would ply the waves. He announced his plan to sail the swan’s road and seek out that king, the famous prince who needed defenders. Nobody tried to keep him from going.” (Beowulf 197-202) And so Beowulf sets out, determined to bring back glory and fame. Determined to extinguish evil from the world, but the tale that begins with resolute sides, the God-sent, heroic Beowulf, against the evil, vile, Grendel, results in a blurring of the boundaries of heroics and barbarism by the end of the tale. Beowulf sets and blurs the line between the heroic deeds of humans and the barbaric violence of ancient evil, which can be seen in the human characteristics bestowed …show more content…
Within Grendel’s introduction, he is painted as a “powerful demon, a prowler through the dark.” (Beowulf 86) Grendel serves as the villain on the side of barbaric violence. “So Grendel ruled in defiance of right, one against all, until the greatest house in the world stood empty, a deserted wall stead. “ (Beowulf 144-146) Grendel, through these descriptions is set up as being on the wrong side of monstrosity. He is barbaric in every sense of the word, he eats people and enjoys “blundering back with the butchered corpses.” (Beowulf 125) Yet, even Grendel who delights in barbaric violence has the human characteristics of jealousy and loneliness from being in exile. His exile is even a result of humanity. “he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts.” (Beowulf 104-107) At first glance he is cast as nothing more than an unsympathetic terror that our hero must kill. Being an outcast to humanity determines his …show more content…
“But now his mother had sallied forth on a savage journey, grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge.” (Beowulf 1276-1278) While extracting revenge, Grendel’s mother takes away her son’s battered limb and the life of one warrior. The loss of the warrior calls Beowulf to get revenge. The action of revenge binding both warrior and ancient evil. Grendel’s Mother for her precious son and Beowulf for the lost life of a warrior. “Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.” ( Beowulf 1384-1385) Showing that revenge is considered a noble endeavor by both those within Beowulf’s warrior culture and the creatures that live as outcasts. In this instance even though the motivation is the same, Beowulf is seen as heroic, saving humanity from yet another monster, while Grendel’s mother a wretched beast. Showing the importance of the external and internal nature of humanity and monstrosity. Beowulf being inclusive within humanity and the society he lives in and Grendel’s mother simply not, instead an outcast even though they share similarities and motivations in common. Similarities such as community, family, and loyalty. Qualities of human life that are considered civilized. Yet, even so Grendel’s mother perished. For both evil creatures and man must eventually face their destiny in

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