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Relationship Between Beowulf And Grendel's Mother

886 Words4 Pages

Kahlea Johnson
Dr. Donald Gillard
English 221, Sec: 2E
16 February 2023
Relationships between mothers and sons
In Beowulf, we are shown vastly different examples of a mother. Grendel’s mother is described as a savage hell brute and the Queen of Heorot is described as a gracious and well-mannered woman. This information would lead one to think that one is an amazing mother that cares for her son while the other is uncaring with no affection for her son. Despite the notion that one mother cares for her sons more than the other, their actions indicate a different story. They both show how much they care for their sons but in their own unique way. No matter the background, a mother always has love and cares for her son and their actions prove that. For …show more content…

Grendel’s mother is described as a monstrous hell brute who is a savage demon. This leads readers to believe that she has no remorse for her actions and does not care for the people around her. For example, her son Grendel’s actions of attacking Heorot and wreaking havoc on the people for 12 years indicate that he was raised by a heartless/emotionless person. During the second attack of Heorot Grendel’s mother is said to be "brooded on her wrongs,” (1259) which allows a peek into her personality that can be interpreted as her deep sense of anger and upset within herself. Unlike Wealhtheow who is gracious, queenly, and dignified. When she is first introduced, she is adorned in gold ready to greet Beowulf and his men, “adorned in gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall/ so the helming woman went on her rounds, queenly and dignified, decked out in rings, offering the goblet to all ranks” (614-615, 620-622). This first meeting helps portray how Wealhtheow well-mannered queen that knows how to treat her honorable guest. Wealhtheow wants the Geats to know how thankful they are for their help this scene helps portray how caring the Queen of Heorot

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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.

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The “Monstrous ogress” was “savage in her grief,” and her actions become even more beastly than her sons (Beowulf 1258-76). Women in this Germanic Warrior society were meek, so the actions of Grendel’s mother greatly contrast with the typical behavior of a woman in this time period. Grendel’s mother’s gruesome actions are beastly in nature, but her emotions of outrage and grief for the murder of her son are human. Once again, Beowulf’s victory of the savage monster shows the overall theme of good winning against evil.

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She lives alone in her cave and her need for vengeance is the only thing that keeps her moving. Grendel’s mother shows her vengeance for the first time when she attacks Heorot after Grendel’s death. Grendel’s mother stayed secluded until her child was killed “ But now his mother Had sallied forth on a savage journey, Grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge”. Grendel’s mother proves her loyalty to Grendel by avenging him and eventually giving her life to defend her child’s body.

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