Grendel Vs Modern Day Monsters Research Paper

The monsters waging war on our world today are only monsters depending on perspective. A monster who threatens one society may be a hero to another society, all depending on that society's definition of a monster. As Americans, we view monsters as people who threaten the lives or safety of others. These monsters, such as Osama Bin Laden, the Charleston shooter, or ISIS, had some kind of supporters. The same way Grendel was seen as a monster by the Danes, his mother supported him. Grendel identifies with modern day monsters because both threatened the lives or safety of a certain society, both had some form of support from someone else, and Grendel and modern day monsters were both created by themselves. Grendel threatened the lives of the Danes by intruding their safe place, the mead hall, and slaughtering innocent Danes. Much like Dylann Roof, who stormed into a sacred place, a church, and

ISIS is a monster to many, including us Americans, but to people of the jihadist group, ISIS is performing heroic acts. It is beyond me how massacring people of certain religions could be seen as heroic, but the perspective of some people doesn’t see the evil in killing. Grendel got his support from his mother, who didn’t see the evil in his killing. Grendel and his mother had a different perspective from Beowulf and the Danes. Grendel’s mother even sought revenge on the Danes after her son’s death. She was grief-stricken with her Grendel’s death which shows she did love and support him and his actions. “That an avenger lurked and was still alive, Grimly biding time. Grendel’s mother, Monstrous hell-bride, brooded on her wrongs.” (Beowulf lines 1257-1259) Grendel’s mother was furious and upset with the death of her son, just as anyone would be if the person they supported were to die. Revenge is often sought out by the supporters of an admired group or person if they are defeated. Even if the group or person is a