Beowulf vs. Grendel Essay

Beowulf v. Grendel

The fight between good and evil is not a new concept. Throughout history, stories have been themed on the struggle between good and evil. From ancient Greek tales and Native American stories to modern day books and movies, the on-going duel of good and evil has been present, just as it is in the epic poem Beowulf. The character Beowulf represents the force of good, and Grendel represents the force of evil. Although the characters compare in their strength and loyalty and in their representation of a force greater than themselves, they contrast when it comes to bravery, their reasons for fighting, and the force they each represent.

Beowulf and Grendel have a number of comparisons that can be made. They are both strong. In the poem, Grendel shows his strength by bursting open a chained door of the mead hall and killing many men at once by himself. Then, Beowulf shows his strength by killing Grendel with simply his bare hands. In the past stories we heard of Beowulf, he had fought and killed many sea monsters while swimming in the ocean for days. He had also slain a dragon no one else could. Beowulf and Grendel are also both loyal. Beowulf shows his loyalty by being loyal to his Geat cousin and uncle even though he is stronger than they and by carrying out his promise to Hrothgar to rid him, and the Danes, of Grendel. Even after his death, Beowulf remained loyal to his people by leaving them his treasure he achieved when he slayed the dragon at his old age.

I gathered from the story that Grendel was loyal to his mother. She was loyal to him by avenging his death. In this epic, Beowulf and Grendel both represent a force greater than themselves. The story portrays them as either strictly good, or strictly evil by telling only one side of their characteristics.

Beowulf and Grendel contrast in more ways that can be stated in this paper. Ill begin with their contrast in bravery. Beowulf was a brave Geat warrior who proves himself to be a hero. He fights and kills Grendel with his bare hands, with no weapons at all. He seeks out Grendels mother in her own swampy lair and kills her as well. Even in old age, he shows no fear when he goes to slay the dragon. Beowulf was a fearless hero, highly contrasting with the cowardly actions of Grendel. Grendel attempted to run from Beowulf when he tried to fight him. He even still lives in a lair with his mother. Also, their reasons for fighting differ. Beowulf is fighting for glory. Because his people did not believe in an afterlife, he wanted his name and accomplishments to be remembered so he can have songs written about him. This is made apparent when he leaves his treasure to his people and says he wants a barrow on the coast named after him so ships can see it and remember Beowulf. Grendel, on the other hand, is simply fighting because the noise in the mead hall annoys him. He goes there to stop the noise. I also think he enjoys eating the drunken men he finds there. The forces these characters each represent contrast as much as, or more than these two characters themselves. Beowulf represents the force of good. He fights for Hrothgars throne that is protected by God. He is a representative of those who believe in God. He fights the descendants of Cain to protect the greater good. In contrast, Grendel is a murderer. He kills men and eats them. He is the descendant of Cain. He destroys the merriness in the mead hall. He is the perfect representation of the force of evil.

In the epic poem, Beowulf, the familiar struggle between good and evil is present. The two characters Beowulf and Grendel represent these two opposing forces. They have many characteristics that contrast, and even a few that compare. These two characters in Beowulf represent the age old fight of good and evil. This theme has been around for centuries and it does not look like it is going anywhere anytime soon.