The Ambiguity Of Grendel In Beowulf's First Villain
Beowulf’s first villain Grendel is an exceptionally diverse character. His nature is ambiguous. He is a mix of man and beast and his fury is based on very human feelings of resentment and jealousy. Although Grendel is portrayed as an animal like demonic creature of some sort, upon further examination the reader begins to sympathize with the very human emotions that drive him to kill.
Grendel is constantly portrayed as an evil creature in Beowulf. Before his name is even mentioned the narrator refers to him as a “powerful demon” (line 86). It is implied in the poem that Grendel has similar characteristics of a large animalistic beast; the author even refers to his murdering of the warriors inside Heorot as, “hunting for prey in the high hall” …show more content…
The poet hints that behind Grendel’s aggression against the Danes lies loneliness and jealousy. By lineage, Grendel is a member of “Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcasts.” (lines 106–107). This association that Grendel has with the biblical Cain, who killed his own brother, automatically portrays Grendel as an ominous creature by association. Grendel is explicitly referred to as “the Lord’s outcast” (line 169). He does not interact with the rest of the Danish society and is restrained to the confinements of his underwater cave. He is even described as “spurned and joyless” (line 720) and the 11-year war he wages with the Danes is described as his “lonely war” (line 164). We know little about Grendel’s upbringing, his personal philosophy, or the expected experiences of hurt he faces as an outcast of his society. Grendel is simply angry toward mankind and lacks compassion for the people of Heorot because he has never been given any himself. The reason behind his slaughtering of the mead-hall is not because he is a mindless beast, but because he is envious of not being able to share in the feasting and celebrating in Hereot. His alienation from society causes him to kill and feel no sorrow over these violent acts. Grendel leads a solitary life out of the light and to see others living a life
Grendel is constantly portrayed as an evil creature in Beowulf. Before his name is even mentioned the narrator refers to him as a “powerful demon” (line 86). It is implied in the poem that Grendel has similar characteristics of a large animalistic beast; the author even refers to his murdering of the warriors inside Heorot as, “hunting for prey in the high hall” …show more content…
The poet hints that behind Grendel’s aggression against the Danes lies loneliness and jealousy. By lineage, Grendel is a member of “Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcasts.” (lines 106–107). This association that Grendel has with the biblical Cain, who killed his own brother, automatically portrays Grendel as an ominous creature by association. Grendel is explicitly referred to as “the Lord’s outcast” (line 169). He does not interact with the rest of the Danish society and is restrained to the confinements of his underwater cave. He is even described as “spurned and joyless” (line 720) and the 11-year war he wages with the Danes is described as his “lonely war” (line 164). We know little about Grendel’s upbringing, his personal philosophy, or the expected experiences of hurt he faces as an outcast of his society. Grendel is simply angry toward mankind and lacks compassion for the people of Heorot because he has never been given any himself. The reason behind his slaughtering of the mead-hall is not because he is a mindless beast, but because he is envious of not being able to share in the feasting and celebrating in Hereot. His alienation from society causes him to kill and feel no sorrow over these violent acts. Grendel leads a solitary life out of the light and to see others living a life