Post by Gifted on Jan 22, 2013 22:34:00 GMT -5
To What Extent do Grendel and his Mom Personify the Base Instincts and Emotions of Mankind?
For as long as people have existed, we have tried to understand ourselves. Our ability to analyze ourselves and the world around us is what separates us from other species. In Beowulf, Grendel and his mother provide a lense through which the author not only creates a brilliant set of antagonists for the story, but also a careful construction of power symbols for the base instincts and fundamental emotions of mankind. Furthermore, the two characters provide an intriguing contrast between some of the more beastly components of human nature, and those which we would consider more positive traits twisted in a negative light.
At first glance, Grendel appears to be a one-dimensional character, nothing but a savage killing machine used as an obstacle for the hero to overcome. He is referred to as being a part of Cain’s clan, in the same class as an evil phantom or ogres and giants and other inhuman creatures. (pg. 9, L. 105-107) However, what initially seems a problem with the character might in fact serve a greater purpose in the narrative. Grendel’s one dimensional character makes him useful as a powerful tool to show the reader basic instincts like rage we can identify with. Grendel’s rage in Heorot, his hatred of the poets stories of what others find good and his bloodlust are good examples of fundamentally human characteristics Gredel embodies.(pg. 11 L. 147, pg. 9 L. 87-91)
While Grendel seems to exemplify many of the worst base instincts of humanity, his mother exemplifies some of the better ones. Though twisted into a negative light, it is clear the mothers maternal instinct is very strong. She cares enough for her child to try to avenge her son when Beowulf kills him, despite not being one who is comfortable in a fight, panicking as soon as she meets some resistance from those sleeping in Heorot. (pg. 91 L. 1292-1293) She is capable of love, and also, in contrast to her son, seems to prefer to stay out of peoples way rather than try to hurt others.
Though both Grendel and his mother are eventually killed by Beowulf, it is on Grendel the blame falls. When Grendel and Beowulf fight, Grendel is mutilated. However, when Grendel’s mother is killed, Grendel is mutilated again. It is the head of the symbol of negative human emotions that Beowulf carries to the surface, and that says a lot about which of the two truly represents the most negative instincts of humanity.
For as long as people have existed, we have tried to understand ourselves. Our ability to analyze ourselves and the world around us is what separates us from other species. In Beowulf, Grendel and his mother provide a lense through which the author not only creates a brilliant set of antagonists for the story, but also a careful construction of power symbols for the base instincts and fundamental emotions of mankind. Furthermore, the two characters provide an intriguing contrast between some of the more beastly components of human nature, and those which we would consider more positive traits twisted in a negative light.
At first glance, Grendel appears to be a one-dimensional character, nothing but a savage killing machine used as an obstacle for the hero to overcome. He is referred to as being a part of Cain’s clan, in the same class as an evil phantom or ogres and giants and other inhuman creatures. (pg. 9, L. 105-107) However, what initially seems a problem with the character might in fact serve a greater purpose in the narrative. Grendel’s one dimensional character makes him useful as a powerful tool to show the reader basic instincts like rage we can identify with. Grendel’s rage in Heorot, his hatred of the poets stories of what others find good and his bloodlust are good examples of fundamentally human characteristics Gredel embodies.(pg. 11 L. 147, pg. 9 L. 87-91)
While Grendel seems to exemplify many of the worst base instincts of humanity, his mother exemplifies some of the better ones. Though twisted into a negative light, it is clear the mothers maternal instinct is very strong. She cares enough for her child to try to avenge her son when Beowulf kills him, despite not being one who is comfortable in a fight, panicking as soon as she meets some resistance from those sleeping in Heorot. (pg. 91 L. 1292-1293) She is capable of love, and also, in contrast to her son, seems to prefer to stay out of peoples way rather than try to hurt others.
Though both Grendel and his mother are eventually killed by Beowulf, it is on Grendel the blame falls. When Grendel and Beowulf fight, Grendel is mutilated. However, when Grendel’s mother is killed, Grendel is mutilated again. It is the head of the symbol of negative human emotions that Beowulf carries to the surface, and that says a lot about which of the two truly represents the most negative instincts of humanity.
