What Does Grendel Symbolize In Beowulf

Words: 446
Pages: 2
Open Document
Known as one of the best poems of all time, Beowulf, by unknown author, is constantly proving the statement that isolating yourself from society turns you evil. One of the main symbols, the cave where graendal hides from the outside world. is the symbol for being outcasted and not being part of the world. “Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend Grendel who haunted the moors, the wild Marshes, and made his home in a hell. Not hell but hell on earth. He was spawned in that slime Of Cain, murderous creatures banished By God, punished forever for the crime Of Abel's death. The monster relished his savage war” “On the Danes, keeping the bloody feud Alive, seeking no peace, offering No truce, accepting no settlement, no price In gold …show more content…
After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated. The cave represents their heritage. As descendants of Cain, they are affiliated with black magic, sorcery, demons, ancient runes, and hell itself. When Grendel's mother is able to fight Beowulf in the cave, she has a significant advantage; his victory is all the more brilliant. It is not said whether he wins because of his own skill, the influence of magic, or God's intervention. All are mentioned, probably because the poet borrowed from various influences in making the poem.
Also, the cave itself defines a world alien to Heorot. One is high and bright and full of song and joy, and the other is dark and dank and full of evil, beneath a mere in the middle of a fen and the symbolic home of resentful outcasts. The cave where Grendel and his mother hide from the world is symbolic of their lives as outcasts. Hidden beneath a treacherous mere in the middle of a dark, forbidding swamp, the cave allows them a degree of safety and privacy in a world that they view as hostile. They certainly are not welcome at Heorot, and they know it.
In summation, Grendel's cave is symbolic in way of describing what an outcast truly is and what it represents. Beowulf is good at demonstrating this as well because we can all tell what grendel is and what his cave
Show More

Related Documents: What Does Grendel Symbolize In Beowulf

Literary Elements In Beowulf

Imagine that you are reading a super interesting novel, but all the author does is tell the story as a list of facts. To prevent this authors use different literary devices to help the story develop and to make it more interesting. These elements of writing help to describe and imagine the time, as well as moving the plot along. Beowulf is an epic that has all these literary elements in it. In Beowulf three of the prominent devices are kennings, allusions and symbols. Throughout the story kennings…

Words 822 - Pages 4

Beowulf Essay

Picking up the Pieces What is a nation to do when everything they stand for is gone? This is the unfolding story in the poem Beowulf. Beowulf is a Geat warrior who sacrifices his own safety to battle the evil that presents itself against the Danes in the form of the fierce monster Grendel. King Hrothgar and the Danes exemplify pride, happiness, and power before Grendel steals everything from them when he attacks what is dearest to King Hrothgar's heart: Herot, the glorious palace built for celebration…

Words 897 - Pages 4

Beowulf Study Guide Answers Essay

Erica Smolinski Period 4 Beowulf Study Guide 1) The conflict between the Danes and Grendel symbolizes the ongoing battle between good and evil. 2) First, Hrothgar built the dining hall where the warriors gather together and listen to the scops, named Herot meaning Heart. Next, Grendel hears the celebration and walks into Herot and starts attacking and killing the warriors in sight. 3) Beowulf is a walking hero. He is looked up to and will help anyone in need with no questions asked;…

Words 1056 - Pages 5

Examples Of Heroism In Beowulf

Beowulf is an epic poem that relays the traditions and cultural values of the Anglo-Saxons. Chivalry, honor, loyalty, and bravery are only a few of the powerful qualities a hero of this time must contain, qualities that are present in Beowulf, who stands as a prime example of heroism. The story deals with the struggles between Beowulf and monsters who represent the qualities opposite to those contained in Beowulf, a hero. The fiends Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon each represent a perverted…

Words 1801 - Pages 8

Anglo Saxon Unit Essay

Victoria Whaley Period 5 Meluish British Literature The Hero of the Anglo-Saxon Period Beowulf shows what qualities an Anglo-Saxon hero must have and the most important characteristics would be strength and courage and you cannot have one without the other. A hero cannot fight with only strength because he will surely lose. A man can have courage, but what damage will you do if you're weak and cannot back yourself up. Although it doesnt only take strength and courage to be an Anglo-Saxon hero,…

Words 1310 - Pages 6

Beowulf: What It Means To Be A Pagan Warrior

Beowulf was written when the Anglo-Saxons of Britian were converting to Christianity, yet their society was struggling to establish their identity within this new belief system. This Old English epic depicts the heroic exploits of the Anglo-Saxon warrior, Beowulf. Beowulf is hero that stands for strength, decency, righteousness and bravery. He is not just fighting a physical fight but a personal battle between Paganism and Christianity. Throughout the poem, various characters display their faith…

Words 867 - Pages 4

Epic Of Beowulf Essay: The Grendel's Of Today

going around slaying monsters, it does not mean people are not facing their own monsters. People today face psychological, financial, and/or personal problems. Which to some it may be worse than ripping monsters apart and slaying dragons. Everyone has their own demons and fears that need to be confronted since that is the only way of resolving them. Since each person has different conflicts and fears in a way everyone has their own Hero’s Journey because just like Beowulf they have to defeat their own…

Words 1099 - Pages 5

Comparing Beowulf And The Hero's Journey

Adventure, 151). For instance, Beowulf enters the Land of the Danes in order to save the people from the terror-filled nights that Grendel and his Mother cause, Shrek proceeds to save Princess Fiona from a dragon-watched castle in hopes of getting back his swamp, and SpongeBob leaves his pineapple home to retrieve King Neptune’s stolen crown to prove that he is no longer a kid and deserves to manage the Krusty Krab. In all of these characters’ expeditions, all…

Words 1166 - Pages 5

Analytical Evaluative Novel Questions Essay

December 8 turned in on Moodle. A rubric for the assignment is at the bottom. Analysis: 1. Who is the central character of the book? Grendel “I, Grendel, was the dark side.” Pg 51 2. What is the book’s most important event? (i.e. which book is the most life-changing for the central character?) I’d say the most important and life changing event would be when Grendel died, this is pretty life changing for him because he goes from having a life to not having one. “I know in advance that I can’t win…

Words 1878 - Pages 8

Beowulf Epic Hero Traits

Beowulf Essay The main character, Beowulf is shown as an epic hero in the book Beowulf. There are three traits that support the fact that he is an epic hero. First, the noble birth, second, the capable of deeds of great strength and courage and third one is his great warrior. First of all, most epic heroes will have an above average station in life. Commoners usually do not become epic heroes. They will be kings, princes, or nobles of some sort, so luck is needed to be an epic hero. It is not like…

Words 1767 - Pages 8