A literary symbol is used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. The use of symbolism helps to add more meaning, and develops different trait of each character, and the main idea of the story. In Beowulf, Grendel, Herot, Beowulf, and Grendel’s mother are some of the most important symbols in Beowulf. Grendel, and Grendel’s mother symbolize evil, while Beowulf could be view as good or as a savior to the people, and Herot represent the setting were the battle of good and evil take place.
In Beowulf, Grendel symbolize evil and Beowulf symbolize good. “He was spawned in that slime conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creature banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death (pg.44,