Beowulf Good Vs Evil

n the poem Beowulf, there are characteristics that are demonstrated to create the sense that it is a fairy tale. This is given by the characters of Grendel and Beowulf as well as the theme of good vs evil. All these factors are found in the making of fairy tales which also adds more evidence that it is indeed a fairy tale. Grendel is a demon of the wasteland that brings unhappiness to anyone in his presence. He is described as possessor of the moors, a criminal and heartless. In the last stanza of episode one Grendel is labeled “a race of monsters exiled from mankind by God-- He was of the race of Cain, that man punished for murdering his brother” (Beowulf, episode one). This was his reputation; the way others view him and his family and what

I expect, if he wins, that he will eat fearlessly of the Geat people in this hall as he often has of yours’” (Beowulf, episode three). This was Beowulf’s promise to the king that he would do as he said and slay the demon just as he has killed many of the king’s men, with no weapons. Beowulf was determined to keep his promise by using his cleverness when he finally met Grendel in the mead hall that same night. Just as he expected, Grendel was ready to feast on the new men, but he was caught by surprise when he reached the body of Beowulf. Which lead to the slay of the demon to give Beowulf the title of a hero in the city of Danes under the thankful King Hrothgar. One the requirements of a fairy tale it that good and evil forces have a dispute and a hero comes out of it. In this case, Beowulf came out as the hero for slaying the demon, Grendel for his crimes he has committed. On the good side of this dispute, Beowulf demonstrated the characteristic of bravery because he went for Grendel with no weapons just his strength. Not only is this seen when the two characters fight but also throughout the entire poem. Due to Beowulf’s natural strength, Grendel was taken by surprise and did not know what to do because no one has fought against him. This is explained in episode four, “Beowulf grasped his arm and sat up. The criminal knew he had not met in this middle-earth another with