Heroism is shown throughout the poem. Beowulf was heroic in the fight with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. “Behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster…” (lines 172-174). In those lines, Beowulf is saying he will fight Grendel alone and without any weapons. “Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong…” (line 633).
The idea of a hero is explored differently in the ancient Anglo-Saxon text Beowulf and John Gardner’s Grendel. During the time period of both of the stories being a hero is very important to everyone. Beowulf is not a true hero, even if he tries to make himself out to seem like a true hero, based on modern ideas of the Hero. In the poem Beowulf being a hero is very important to the main character Beowulf.
At this point he still struggles with his destiny and role in life as the villain. Beowulf is insane because everything he does seems mechanical. He kills with eagerness and lives for the pain of his kills. In page 171, the novel says, “Grendel, Grendel! You make the world by whispers, second by second.
Beowulf is an epic that shows good vs evil. It puts Beowulf against Grendel and in the end Beowulf comes out on top. In The Odyssey all the survivors of the Trojan War return home except Odysseus. He is stuck on Calypso’s island and she wouldn’t let him leave. Calypso is a nymph on the island that falls in love with Odysseus.
Eligos One simple name, a name to strike fear A name you wish you couldn’t hear. Who’s to know how his life begun Only one man, who’s power is strong.
We have read the Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf and watched the movie of Beowulf and Grendel. These two manifestations of one event have rather great differences in the characteristics and behavior of their characters. The movie seems to show the actual events of the tale while the poem seems to capture the events in an exaggerated and praiseful way towards Beowulf’s actions. In the movie, the poem’s narration is actually by a Geat, one of Beowulf’s men. The tales differ because of exaggeration and lack of presence in some events by the Geat.
There are always going to be different views in how a society is to be presented but the question is how do these views compare and contrast between “Beowulf” and Grendel. (I Think the first thing you need to do is define how Beowulf compares to society - A Nobel hero who’s character reflects society’s ideals – performs brave acts and appears superhuman and then how Grendel compares to society – an outcast of society not capable of enjoying it only capable of destuction. What are 2 or 3 ways that I can see that I can relate to… That is the first question I have… how am I going to compare and contrast if I do not know how they are viewed.) Compare: Anglo-Saxon society is considered very harsh.
Grendel vs Grendel Grendel, the horrid, gross, quarrelsome demon who had no concept of the english language or feelings, the beast of burden who slaughters men with no remorse. Writtened as a damned hel spawn of his wicked mother, known throughout the land as an emotionless entity whose pleasure derives from the pain of others. As portrayed as in the Epic Beowulf (Heaney). However on the other side of the spectrum we have the Grendel in the movie Beowulf and Grendel (Gunnarsson, S.) Again portrayed as a thing that derives pleasure from the pain of others and a thing that acts somewhat like a human from time to time.
Beowulf went through so much to prove he was worthy enough to protect their kingdom and defeat Grendel. The story Beowulf was a great story to read and a great movie to watch; however, the battles were very eye catching and had a lot of extravagant and heroic doings of Beowulf. The first scenario that I’m going to discuss in the movie and story of Beowulf is The Battle with Grendel. In the movie Grendel attacked Beowulf in the Heriot while everyone was dancing and singing.
Argument Essay: Beowulf and Grendel Many people have read or heard of the epic poem of Beowulf, which spins a tale of Grendel, the monster, attacking the admirable Danes and their king, Hrothgar. Some may not be as aware of a book titled Grendel written by John Gardner in 1971. Gardner’s book tells a completely different account of the more familiar tale of Beowulf, from the perspective of Grendel, the monster. The narrator from Grendel portrays a more plausible, powerful story than the excerpt from Beowulf by drawing the reader in with a more emotional viewpoint from the character Grendel, making him more relatable by giving him humanlike qualities, and clarifying why certain events took place in Beowulf.
In the epic poem, Beowulf, there are clear distinctions between an epic hero and a monster. Beowulf is the prime example of a epic hero possessing characteristics such as superior strength, courage, and loyalty. On the other hand, Grendel and Grendel’s mother are characteristized as evil and immoral based off of their actions. These characteristics are presented throughout the poem, and monsters are given grotesque, hideous appearances to further prove that they are evil. After Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel’s mother reaction revealed how the full presentation of a character can allow readers to react differently than before and even sympathized with them.
We have read the Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf and watched the movie of Beowulf and Grendel. These two manifestations of one event have rather great differences in the characteristics and behavior of their characters. The movie seems show the actual events of the tale, while the poem seems to capture the events in an exaggerated and praiseful way towards Beowulf’s actions. In the movie, the poem’s narration is actually by a Geat, one of Beowulf’s men. The tales differ because of exaggeration and lack of presence in some events by the Geat.
In comparison, Beowulf is recognized as a monster slayer, the strongest of all, greatest of the Geats, and hero of all, loyal to his Anglo Saxon culture. In the book Beowulf on page 36, stanza 109-116, it says, “ In his far off home, Beowulf, Higlac’s Follower and the strongest of the Geats-greater And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world-Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror And quickly commanded a boat fitted out, Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, Now when help was needed.” This explains how determined and confident Beowulf was of him and his men. Although, in contrast, in the poem, Beowulf stuck to his Anglo Saxon belief and culture and had no intention in breaking his ways. He slays Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon.
Beowulf risked his life multiple times by battling Grendel and Grendel’s mother to save the people of Denmark. He also embarks on a battle with a dragon as an old man ascending on the Geats Throne. Each battle Beowulf fought has all been for the safety of his people. Although the Knight did not battle as a deed for his people, he also is viewed as a humble person his battles were for a purpose greater than himself. The knight never talks about his brave and valorous deeds.
Grendel in both stories is described as a vicious "Monster", but is viewed differently. The character of Grendel, in the novel by John Gardner, portrays a different visualization than that of Grendel in the epic poem Beowulf. In the novel the story is told in first person point of view which gives Grendel human qualities while Grendel in Beowulf is told in third person point of view not giving Grendel his standpoint. In both works, the authors give two different perspectives of Grendel. Grendel in the novel is not seen as a "Monster", but as a human that has emotions and is very sympathetic about everything that comes his way.
