Grendel, the first antagonist in the epic poem Beowulf, is most definitely a monster. To even compare him to a rambunctious youth is irrational. The narrator emphasizes his monster-like qualities and even refers to him as a monster. The diction deliberately portrays him as evil, as do Grendels own actions. The beginning line of the passage is , A powerful monster . In line 16-17, the narrator goes further by saying, the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, Grendel, . The narrator plainly states that he is a monster in several other lines, also.
But, even before all of these occurrences of the word, the introduction summarizes the first passage saying that a fierce and powerful monster invades the mead hall. Even by this, the reader has a preconception that Grendel is a monster. Grendel is always in contrast to the Almighty and Christianity. It is explained that he is descendant of the biblical figure Cain. Anyone familiar with the bible knows that Cain murdered his brother, Abel, and is considered an embodiment of evil by most Christian religions. So Grendel was born banished by God and lead his life accordingly.
He is described as being the shadow of death and having hell-forged hands. The narrator would not have to continue to convince anyone that Grendel is a monster. Grendel behaves like a monster and has many qualities pertaining to being one. He lusts for evil (lines 52-53) and relished his savage war (line 67).
He was not on a conquest of love, fortune, or fame; he slaughtered men for sport, certainly not the pass time of the average rambunctious youth. His victims were all unknowing and asleep.
The Essay on Grendel Good And Evil
The clash between good and evil has been a prominent theme in literature. The Bible presents the conflict between good and evil in the story of Adam and Eve. Many authors use the scene in the Bible in which the snake taunts and tempts Adam and Eve to take a bite of the apple of knowledge to demonstrate the frailty of humankind. John Gardner provides these same biblical allusions of good and evil ...
He only came with darkness, also associated with evil. He lurked, stirred, and haunted. All these words have evil connotations, as do all words describing the monster and his actions. After the nights rampage, he returned to his lair, suggesting that Grendel is a wild animal. Since the word is usually associated with lions, its connotation further illustrates his claws and fangs in the readers mind. Only one event almost relates a human aspect to Grendel his mothers revenge.
Suggesting that he has a mother and that she cares about him may convey a child-like image to the reader, but that doesnt mean hes not a monster. We all have mothers and most everyones mother cares about them. Grendels mother doesnt change the fact that he ruthlessly killed innocent men, all of whom had mothers. Grendel is clearly a monster. The narrator even states it several times. His monster-like qualities and actions only add to the constant association with evil and evil things. By simply placing Grendel in a human relationship with his mother, a human association is not successful.
The author goes to much greater lengths then would be necessary for the era in which he was writing. Then, someone could be considered a monster for opposing Christianity and nothing else. Through over-emphasis and repeated association, the narrator successfully illustrates that the only correct way to view Grendel is as a monster..
