Some stories sound completely unlike when told from different people; sometimes they have varying themes or characters, and other times the characters are the same, except they are described differently. The poem Beowulf and the novel Grendel have very similar plots, but from multiple points of view, making each piece unique. Although many of the same characters in Beowulf also appear in Grendel, some of them are depicted differently. As characters such as Beowulf, Grendel, and the Danes develop throughout Beowulf and Grendel, the differences and similarities between their portrayals in each piece become more apparent.
One character that is described differently in each piece is Grendel. Throughout Beowulf, Grendel is…show more content…
Without even knowing Grendel’s story, what he’s been through, or almost anything about him, the people in the kingdom just assume he is a monster based on his looks. On the contrary, in Grendel his character is shown as a lonely outcast who is actually the victim rather than the villain because he is misunderstood by the Danes and Geats. For example, many characters talk about how unattractive Grendel is and how he is different and evil because he is a descendant of Cain. This gossip upsets Grendel, which causes him to lash out and kill and eat the humans in the mead-hall. In Beowulf, this attack by Grendel is solely his fault because he is the antagonist, while in Grendel, it is the result of the humans’ cruel behavior because they are the antagonists. To continue, Grendel is an innocent, friendly character in Grendel who just wants someone to talk to; for example, “‘Mercy! Peace!’ The Harper broke off, the people screamed [...] Drunken men rushed me with battle-axes. I sank to my knees, crying, ‘Friend! Friend!’” (Gardner 51, 52). In Grendel, Grendel tries to communicate peacefully with the humans to form a relationship with them while…show more content…
Grendel seems like two completely different characters when analyzing his descriptions in each piece because of the way each perspective portrayed him; the only things telling the reader that it is, in fact, the same character are his minor similarities. Beowulf, on the other hand is very similar in both stories, along with the Danes and Geats. The varying perspectives create two different books even though they share a very similar plot. What would a third book from Beowulf’s point of view look like? How would his personal theories and outlook on life compare to
Although Beowulf and Grendel are both strangers to the Spear-Danes their contrasting roles are aided by imagery in Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf. Upon first encountering Grendel, he is described as a “grim demon/ haunting the marches..after nightfall” in pursuit to kill the Kings men (l.102-103, 115). Heaney continues to call Grendel part of “Cain’s Clan” thus, creating a biblical allusion to the book of Genesis where Cain kills his brother Abel (l.106). Therefore, by using the above imagery Grendel is indirectly given animal characteristics along with an evil persona. As a result the Danes are fearful towards Grendel and perceive him as being a stranger that must be destroyed in order to maintain peace in Heorot. Contrary to Grendel, Beowulf is stranger that is welcomed by the Danes after describing his mission to kill Grendel to King Hrothgar. Beowulf is described as a “mightier-man” who is “truly noble” and describes his purpose with ease (l.248,250). This description of Beowulf gives him a “God-Like” image as he is stronger and larger than other men and willingly aids other nations despite the dangers that may follow. These two opposing images of strangers in Beowulf give the characters different roles in the epic. While Grendel is perceived as animal and killer in the night, Beowulf is a hero who surpasses the average man with his nobility and strength. Therefore, both Heaney and the writers of Beowulf use the contrasting strangers to further acknowledge how imagery and appearance can enhance once perception of characters and contribute to symbolism in literature.
We have read the Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf and watched the movie of Beowulf and Grendel. These two manifestations of one event have rather great differences in the characteristics and behavior of their characters. The movie seems to show the actual events of the tale while the poem seems to capture the events in an exaggerated and praiseful way towards Beowulf’s actions. In the movie, the poem’s narration is actually by a Geat, one of Beowulf’s men. The tales differ because of exaggeration and lack of presence in some events by the Geat. The story narrates of Grendel’s unquenchable desire to slaughter in his lust for evil. It speaks of the fear caused by him and how Herot’s population fell as people were killed or fled from the village. Herot was deserted for 12 years, yet Grendel never attacked Hrothgar, only his men. It was then that Beowulf came to defeat this evil. Beowulf speaks of his greatness and of his superiority and achievements in the hall as they feasted. That very night, Grendel came in hope of a…show more content…
Grendel’s mother, the mighty sea hag, came to the mead hall to avenge her son and obtain Grendel’s arm. Beowulf could not penetrate her skin and was losing until the monster’s arm turned into a sword forged by giants. Beowulf used this mighty sword to slay the mother. He then repaid Grendel’s visits with one of his own. Beowulf found the troll’s lifeless body and cut off his head. The movie, on the other hand, is more complex and makes Beowulf seem like a normal person, however, a warrior of the finest kind. Grendel is not just a monster; he is a troll whose father was killed by Hrothgar when he was only a child. He was killed because he had crossed paths with the Danes and took a fish. Hrothgar was the only Dane to see the child and decided to spare his life. With this information, we can understand that the reason for Grendel’s attacks is revenge for the murder of his