BEOWULF The Monster Grendel

HROTHGAR Characterized as an excellent king –Theme of loyalty Reciprocal relationship Herot –Functions as a place of rest and peace

GRENDEL Described as jealous Functions as the antithesis of Herot and the men of Herot

TONE Herot Happy Celebratory Grendel Painful “growled in pain” (2)

GRENDEL’S HISTORY Made his home “in a hell/ Not hell but earth” (18-19) Parents were offspring of Cain –Biblical character –Son of Adam and Eve –Killed his brother Able –Cursed by God Sired a family of monsters who opposed God’s will

DICTION Monster Demon Fiend Haunted Wild Hell Spawned Slime Murderous Creatures Goblins

DICTION Purpose –Portrays Grendel as evil

GRENDEL’S ACTIONS Kills thirty sleeping men at Herot Comes back every night and kills more men Grendel dominated Herot for twelve years –Imagery “twelve winters” (62) –Winter=death

GRENDEL’S ACTIONS Grendel never dared to kill Hrothgar –Hrothgar was protected by God –Grendel powerless against God

BEOWULF Follower of Higlac, king of the Geats Strongest of the Geats –“greater/ And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” ( ) Common description of a hero

BEOWULF Decides to go and help the Danish people –Introduction of fate as a theme No one opposed his going “the omens were good” (118)