The Power Of Community In Beowulf

The Oxford Dictionary defines community as “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.” The Anglo-Saxons wrote the epic poem Beowulf during a time of turmoil, when they were often attacked and invaded by other tribes. They needed unity, therefore community was a strong value in their lives. Beowulf revolves around the titular character and king of the Geats, Beowulf, fighting numerous battles against several different adversaries. He first fights the Son of Cain, Grendel, then battles with Grendel’s mother, and finally must slay a dragon guarding its treasure. In this poem the author uses symbolism, with Grendel representing fear of invasion, Grendel’s mother representing revenge, and the dragon representing ego, to ultimately illustrate the power of community.

The text says that Grendel “ran out with their bodies, the blood dripping behind them” (38-39). This demonstrates the power that Grendel holds and his ability to murder many people at a single time. Herot’s king, Hrothgar, and his knights cannot defeat Grendel on their own, but Beowulf arrives to help them end this monster. After a short battle, Beowulf defeats Grendel and the people hang his arm like a trophy: “From the rafters…. was the monster’s arm, claw, shoulder and all” (337-338). This demonstrates the defeat of Grendel, with the help of Beowulf, a warrior from another kingdom, thereby showing the community that exists between Anglo-Saxons through their willingness to fight for each other. Grendel symbolizes the fear that the Anglo-Saxons had toward invasion by other tribes, which was something present in their lives. The poem illustrates that Grendel, and thus the fear of invasion, can only be defeated through the strong bonds of