What Does The Mead Hall Symbolize In Beowulf

It takes one courageous person to make a change for the better and this person is Beowulf. He comes to protect the land of Hrothgar of which is being attacked. A strong brave warrior takes his chances to defeat the great antagonist, Grendel. Not only does he conquer Grendel, but his mother as well. Beowulf positions symbolism, religion, and epic heroism all into one poem. Symbolism is present in many works of literature and it is important because it uses one thing to represent something else. Some of the symbolism in Beowulf includes Hrothgar’s mead hall, and Grendel’s arm. The mead-hall is also called Heorot which means a male deer which are prey animals. This could mean that the hall is meant to be attacked again and again by Grentel. It was built by Hrothgar and home to “the best and bravest of his men” (Beowulf 225). The mead-hall is the heart of the Scyldings and is also the place of the defeat of Grendel which makes it symbolic and serves as a place of celebration and victories. After the fight with Grendel, “the victory, for the proof, hanging high, was the monster’s arm, claw and shoulder

Beowulf follows the belief that man survives only through the protection of God and calls God his protector many times. However Beowulf does become a little too proud and Hrothgar tells him "What he has long held seems to him too little, angry-hearted he covets, no plated rings does he give in mens honor, and then he forgets and regards not his destiny because of what God, Wielder of Heaven, has given him before, his portion of glories" (Beowulf, 765). He warns him that pride can be destructive and that he should remain humble and he should have gratitude toward God. In the fight with Grendel’s mother he says "The fight would have ended straightaway if God had not guarded me" (Beowulf, 893). Though Beowulf is boastful he also thanks God for his protection and his