Skip to main content

In Beowulf, how does Grendel endure much of what an epic hero endures, and paradoxically give to “his” people the kinds of “boons” or...

Grendel, the antagonist of Beowulf, is in some ways similar to an epic hero. Like an epic hero, he has a noble or unusual birth. His ancestor is Cain, who killed his brother Abel in the Old Testament of the Bible. Grendel benefits from being Cain's descendant because he has supernatural powers, such as the ability to render other people's weapons useless. Grendel is able to use his supernatural powers to his advantage until fate...

Grendel, the antagonist of Beowulf, is in some ways similar to an epic hero. Like an epic hero, he has a noble or unusual birth. His ancestor is Cain, who killed his brother Abel in the Old Testament of the Bible. Grendel benefits from being Cain's descendant because he has supernatural powers, such as the ability to render other people's weapons useless. Grendel is able to use his supernatural powers to his advantage until fate intervenes against him. As the epic states, "No longer was it fate's decree that he might, after that night, feed on more of the race of men" (translation by Clarence Griffin Child). When fate is no longer in his favor, Grendel is defeated by Beowulf, who removes his arm in a fatal wound.


Grendel conducts a campaign of terror on men, and, in waging war, he provides some types of "boons" to his people, much the same way an epic hero does. For example, for a long time he wins his battles: "Thus had Grendel mastery and warred against the right, he alone against all." Even fighting alone, he is so fearsome that he can defeat all his enemies. As a result, the controls the land: "Night after night he held the misty moors." He is lord of the moors--not the noble Danes. In this way, he provides the sense of pride that an epic hero does. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...