Greed vs Grendel

Greed is a monster in today's society. It can be compared in many ways to the monster in Beowulf, Grendel. Greed is selfishness and jealousy, which is what Grendel is full of. Grendel is lonely and it makes him jealous. The point is seeing all the people happy in the mead hall makes Grendel realize how lonely he is and all of his feelings build up and he becomes violent. Greed is the same way in humans. Someone that always puts themselves before others is selfish. They have the desire to want what someone else has but for themselves. "I want what you have, thus until I have it you should not have it either" () The things this person does or will do to get what they want can make them into a monster physically and emotionally. There are a couple reasons why Grendel attacks the innocent people. One reason is because Grendel is just selfish. He wants to be happy and enjoy himself like the others. Since Grendel cannot enjoy himself he does not want others to. "The monster's thoughts were as quick as his greed" ("Beowulf" 34). Grendel wants all the happiness for himself, thus one reason he is compared to greed. Jealousy is caused by being lonely. "Jealousy is no more than feeling alone against smiling enemies" (Firestone 1). . Jealousy is caused by childhood trauma or psychological issues. A person can easily be consumed by this feeling and become violent. They could be violent to people or themselves which is how they are compared to a monster. Grendel also attacks out of jealousy. He is jealous that cheerful and having fun. He was detached from society for so long that he built up all his jealousy and took it out as anger. He could not hold his feelings inside any longer when all these people were laughing and joyful and they would not include him. Stopping their happiness made him happy. "Shut away from men, they split into a thousand forms of evil" ("Beowulf" 42). In conclusion, Grendel's selfishness and jealousy caused him to be a violent monster as