ipl-logo

'Good Vs. Evil In Beowulf'

537 Words3 Pages

A battle between good and evil shows apparently in “Beowulf”, the very first epic in our literature, was written way back in the Anglo-Saxon centuries. Character Beowulf is a significant hero, who have supernatural power and was admired by everyone. Meanwhile, Grendel is described as a pure evil monster, a descendant of Cain-the one who was cursed by God, and fed on thousands of human to stay alive. The theme of good against evil is popular and common in the world of literature, and “Beowulf” is believed to be the first great epic with that theme. As I read the epic, and carefully look between the lines, I discovered the interesting hidden stories behind each character. Beowulf is the strongest men on Earth in the story, who had the ability to defeat the unbeatable monster, Grendel. Surprisingly, there …show more content…

Look at the story in Grendel’s eyes, since his father is assume to be a murderous monster, it's influence him to be one too, it's fate which pushed Grendel to be a dangerous monster. “The Almighty drove those monsters out, their exile was bitter, shut away from men; they split into a thousand forms of evil…” this line clearly highlighted the fact that he was shut away and so on turn evil like his dad. Lived in the forest and “haunted the moors, the wild marshes, and made his home in hell”, where its misty and dirty, he wasn't accept by anyone so it's the life he had faced with. Hatred in his heart rose as others live happily while he's the innocent one and had to become the outcast. Therefore, making the king who protected by God suffer like how he's is his goal, he killed and fed on the King followers to revenge. To sum it up, Beowulf’s an amazing, brave warrior but to conclude the battle between the good and bad in this epic is not realistic and unfair, since Gendel is a tragically misunderstood outcast, who is forced and pushed to the limit of a human to become a evil

Show More
Related

  • Beowulf's Grendel-Human Or Monster

    330 Words  | 2 Pages

    Grendel: Human or Monster In the story Beowulf, the character Grendel is highly misunderstood. Grendel was born in the wild marshes outside of Herot. Being raised in such harsh conditions, Grendel grew to hate the Danes and God. As a descendant of Cain, he was banished as a small child and forced to live in exile with his mother.

    Read More

  • Beowulf As An Evil Character In 'Grendel' By John Gardner

    997 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout the novel Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel comes across as a ruthless monster who takes pride in murdering others. His actions give the impression that he is an evil figure, but in hindsight he is not as evil as he appears to be. Grendel is not evil as he attempts to make peace and his actions are no different from the actions of others. Furthermore, the author makes the readers feel sympathy for Grendel because Grendel lives a lonely life and is consistently treated poorly. His lack of social relations and his past encounters lead him to resent others.

    Read More

  • Iago Vs Grendel Analysis

    968 Words  | 4 Pages

    Iago vs. Grendel In well written short stories, movies, and books, readers are always drawn to the villians or characters with the dark backstories, and sometimes may even root for them. This is no difference when it comes to Grendel in the epic story of Beowulf, and Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello. But between these two fictional characters, most readers can feel for one more than the other.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Good Vs Evil Essay

    806 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf vs Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon all represent a creature from hell and Beowulf is a god-like warrior who ends up slaying evil. “Like a man outlawed/for wickedness, he must await/the mighty judgement of God in majesty” (Beowulf 976 - 978). This quote talks about Grendel and his demonic soul. Beowulf points out that he is an evil creature and no creature ever to exist is powerful enough to smite God. Once Grendel dies, Grendel will be in God’s hands and Grendel will regret ever being evil or committing any evil action to anyone or anything on Earth.

    Read More

  • Comparing Beowulf And Grendel's Mother

    580 Words  | 3 Pages

    After Grendel’s death, she channeled all that hatred and grief towards the people that harmed her child. Her love for her child lead her to commit these acts. Even though her actions are considered evil, it is natural to feel some sort of pity and sympathy for Grendel’s mother after her loss. Unlike Grendel, Grendel’s mother doesn't kill or destroy randomly. It is clear that she only wanted to take revenge for her son and targeted those that harmed him.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Epic Poem Beowulf By Burton Raffel

    821 Words  | 4 Pages

    The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Rhetorical Analysis

    533 Words  | 3 Pages

    Good and evil are always present but practices like honor, courage, and loyalty are examples of good and will outweigh the sinful evil. The ideas in “Beowulf” are reflected in the real world; courage, loyalty, and honor, will bring good, such as highs and newcomers. These practices will bring wonders. Happiness and joy will always outmatch evil.

    Read More

  • Comparing Grendel's Mother And The Dragon In Beowulf

    603 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.

    Read More

  • Internal Conflict In Grendel

    703 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel’s largest internal conflict is whether or not he can overcome his predestined status of monster. Throughout the course of the story Grendel is influenced by both sides, human and beast, through the dragon and the Shaper. Although Grendel initially wants to align himself with the humans, no matter how he tries to communicate with them as an equal they will not accept his company, causing him to become lonely and angry. Grendel’s anger turns to violence, which makes the humans turn further against him and, as he is alienated from any sense of humanity he ever had, he eventually discovers that he has no choice and must fulfill his role as the enemy to humans. Initially, Grendel’s free will

    Read More

  • Essay On Archetypes In Beowulf

    1250 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout the poem, Beowulf fights three different monsters and in each of these situations he chooses to begin the fight without their help. He enters into combat with his men by his side, but when the actual fighting begins he defeats the monsters with very little help from them. Beowulf’s strength and physical prowess was unlike any other man in comparison to his height and incredible grip. Furthermore, Beowulf can be categorized as an outcast based on his personality traits. The main character is set apart from the other warriors because of his courage and humility.

    Read More

  • How Does Dick Ringler Use Darkness In Beowulf

    1219 Words  | 5 Pages

    Beowulf: A New Translation for Oral Delivery, translated by Dick Ringler, utilized the dark and the ominous to foreshadow or to portray the impending savagery of mankind. Darkness could be defined either by the absence of light or by the lack of intellectual enlightenment. The monstrous creatures are shrouded within the darkness or associate with the ominous. Throughout Beowulf the theme of violence and darkness are intertwined, which is manifest by correlating the darkness with the unknown through Grendel. The unknown generate fear among the mass through their inability to control and understand the existence of inhuman beings.

    Read More

  • Good Vs. Evil In Beowulf Is An Epic Hero

    570 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic hero because of his strength. His strength isn’t the same as an ordinary man, “He twisted in pain and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped muscle and on split and broke” (lines 337-340). No ordinary man would be

    Read More

  • Why Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

    703 Words  | 3 Pages

    Near the end of his life as a king, Beowulf found that his citizens were being terrorized by a dragon. Although he was old and grizzled, the king took it on in battle. He showed tremendous courage even when knowing the odds were not in his favor. Previously, during his time in Denmark, Beowulf killed Grendel’s mother with the sword made for a giant. This showed his superhuman strength because as an ordinary human being Beowulf was able to handle and control the giant’s sword.

    Read More

  • Monstrosity In Beowulf

    1285 Words  | 6 Pages

    In the poem Beowulf, there is a contrast between good and evil. This distinction is presented through the monsters Grendel and his mother, in parallel to the hero Beowulf. The themes of evil and monstrosity are therefore used in the story, as a way to create the notion of Grendel and his mother as monsters. Beowulf therefore appears as a character representing good. Although Beowulf shows traits of abnormal power, like Grendel and his mother, his motifs are interpreted differently.

    Read More

  • Literary Analysis Essay On Beowulf

    1033 Words  | 5 Pages

    The epic poem Beowulf is a classic tale of good versus evil. Good, as shown in the story, is any action that fights evil and defends the community and the people of it. The evil intent of Grendel, the story’s antagonist and cannibalistic murderer, who is depicted as a “fiend out of hell” (99), is strongly countered by the heroic actions of the stories main protagonist, Beowulf. The noble King Hrothgar is a role model for young Beowulf at the beginning of the epic, displaying acts of charity and wisdom throughout his life.

    Read More

More about 'Good Vs. Evil In Beowulf'

Open Document