Digging into Macbeth and Grendel
Whether it be in real life or in literature, many people despise bad characters. Regardless, evil characters are very important as they are the ones who drive the plot. For example, antagonists like Grendell and Macbeth are significantly important; they show the importance of the protagonists and causing the plot of the story to flow smoothly. Although Macbeth and Grendell differ in their physical characteristics and instincts, their motives are quite the same. First, Macbeth and Grendell are very different in their physical characteristics. Macbeth is a human character of evil. Macbeth, a strong and brave character in the battlefield, because of this trait, the king reward him greatly. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth was greatly mentioned, "The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict/Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof,/Confronted him with self-comparisons,/Point against point, rebellious arm…show more content… For Macbeth, it was the obsession over the prophecy about his fate and his longing to be the king that caused him to choose evil over and over again. This longing drives him towards questioning his fate, “I conjure you by that which you profess—/Howe'er you come to know it—answer me”(Shakespeare, 4.1.50-51). His curiosity as to what he should be aware of in the unknown future. Grendel, on the other hand, just want to fulfill his lust that will never be satisfied even if he has killed many. “Grendel came again, so set on murder that no crime could ever be enough, no savage assault quench his lust for evil” (Beowulf lines 72-76). No death caused by him could satisfy his desire for evil. For both of these antagonists, their motives drive them to do anything to get their way even if they have to kill the innocent. Whether it be the good guys or bad guys, the motive of the heart will direct the decisions you
