The Anglo-Saxon Primary Epic Beowulf
The Anglo-Saxon primary epic Beowulf reflects on many of the old traditions and the culture of the time period. The central ideas of heroism and that good will conquer evil play as the center focus for the basis of the story. In addition to those concepts, former beliefs and mindset are incorporated as well. The Christian faith, mainly the Cain and Abel tale, are integrated into the story by having certain figures symbolize evil. The descendants of Cain are looked at as cursed creatures and are therefore despised by inhabitants. Throughout the epic Beowulf, the three main antagonists, Grendel, his mother, and the dragon, disturb the peace of society in order to redirect their suffering that results from being the victims of other acts of cruelty
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Because of the old fashioned demeanor that people with a birth defects or are different are apart of the Cain bloodline, these creatures are “condemned as outcasts” of society (106). Among the outlawed are “ogres and elves, and elves phantoms / and the giants,” but most importantly Grendel (112-4). For committing no wrong actions, his fate is already decided to be shunned from humankind because he isn’t like the average man. However, his hatred towards the civilians only grows stronger over time as he “[lurks] and [swoops] in the long nights” (162). The meat hall, which symbolizes happiness and a safe haven for the soldiers returning from battle, has the opposite connotation to Grendel. It serves as an example of the happiness he is robbed from as being labeled as the “Lord’s outcast” (169). As a result, the constant “cruelties” he inflicts upon the people is because of the “misery [he faces] among the banished monsters, / [of] Cain’s clan” (104-5). Despite Grendel’s justified motivations for his terrorizing attacks, the Danes still believe that they are the victims and he is the one who is at fault in this situation. They look up to Beowulf as the hero, despite having to kill a man to earn that title. This is simply because Grendel is a “man outlawed / for wickedness” who tries to destroy, in their eyes, an innocent town undeserving of the punishment and Beowulf is an ordinary looking man with abnormal strength that has been sent from God to save them and send the devil back to hell
Because of the old fashioned demeanor that people with a birth defects or are different are apart of the Cain bloodline, these creatures are “condemned as outcasts” of society (106). Among the outlawed are “ogres and elves, and elves phantoms / and the giants,” but most importantly Grendel (112-4). For committing no wrong actions, his fate is already decided to be shunned from humankind because he isn’t like the average man. However, his hatred towards the civilians only grows stronger over time as he “[lurks] and [swoops] in the long nights” (162). The meat hall, which symbolizes happiness and a safe haven for the soldiers returning from battle, has the opposite connotation to Grendel. It serves as an example of the happiness he is robbed from as being labeled as the “Lord’s outcast” (169). As a result, the constant “cruelties” he inflicts upon the people is because of the “misery [he faces] among the banished monsters, / [of] Cain’s clan” (104-5). Despite Grendel’s justified motivations for his terrorizing attacks, the Danes still believe that they are the victims and he is the one who is at fault in this situation. They look up to Beowulf as the hero, despite having to kill a man to earn that title. This is simply because Grendel is a “man outlawed / for wickedness” who tries to destroy, in their eyes, an innocent town undeserving of the punishment and Beowulf is an ordinary looking man with abnormal strength that has been sent from God to save them and send the devil back to hell