Kate Boothman Week 3

Grendel, the bloodthirsty and fearsome monstrosity, reigned in the land, using fear and horror to keep his control over the people. Through his poetry, the author shows that, at his heart, Grendel, though a formidable foe, was really an unworthy coward, accustomed to running back home to his lair.  The author addresses the issue of being a coward and shows that it caused the end of Grendel.

“At heart he feared,
sorrowed in soul, -- none the sooner escaped!                                                                                                    Fain would he flee, his fastness seek,
the den of devils: no doings now
such as oft he had done in days of old!” ( lines )

This passage in Beowulf especially addresses the issue of being a coward.  It is illustrated using this monster Grendel and his ultimate foe, Beowulf. Grendel, though mighty and terrifying, is suddenly realizing that he has met his match. The creature of terror is himself terrified, and finds himself to be a coward wishing to be home with mother. Beowolf is the greater for finding his heart ripe for the battle, unmatched as he is to the great evil monster.  His heart and his bravery win the day over fainthearted brawn. Later we find that Grendel is ripped apart by Beowulf. 

Giving a closer view, the poet shows that Grendel could not run and use his swiftness to escape. That is the point, Grendel was used to running away, to slink away in the night from whence he came, doing his shameful and wicked deeds and then disappearing.  The poetry shows that he was nothing but a coward at heart, not willing to match skill with skill, without any honor to match Beowolf’s honor.

“God's foe sounding his grisly song,
cry of the conquered, clamorous pain
from captive of hell. Too closely held him
he who of men in might was strongest
in that same day of this our life.”

As this passage addresses the issue of cowardice, it contrasts that with Beowolf’s bravado, and it helps to give listeners or readers the courage to conquer, the will to win, the heart to face the troubles that are prevalent, even life-threatening.  It shows the honor and beauty of good conquering evil.

 At the time this poem was written, there were always hostilities between differing people groups and much fighting ensued. Young men were asked to fight and risk their lives for their community. After the hearing of this story, warriors would have been bolstered with new courage to conquer their enemies. The poem would help them to view their enemies as just cowards at heart.  This poem, Beowolf, gave the people a “super-hero” to look up to---someone whom they could imitate. When Beowulf revealed the heart of Grendel being filled with fear, it gave people hope to have the strength to overcome their adversaries.