Revenge In Beowulf

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Revenge is eminent throughout this extract of Beowulf, it beholds major characters, and inspires their actions. Whilst Beowulf is motivated by revenge, his desire to protect his honour and achieve glory overshadows revenge. This essay will discuss the forces that provoke Beowulf and Grendel’s mother, and explore the differences between them.
Glory and honour are some of the main themes within the extract, as shown as Beowulf’s primary objective is achieving glory. This had been successful up to the point of the extract; however, when Grendel’s mother threatens Hrothgar’s people, Beowulf’s victorious title is threatened. Therefore, Beowulf seeks out Grendel’s mother and proceeds to fight her in the name of avenging “every gross act Grendel had …show more content…
Grendel’s mother is described to “avenge her only child” (1546-7), which initially informs the audience of her objective, yet it also humanises her. By using “her only child” reinforces the fact she is a mother, and her traditional role within society is as a spectator, not a protector. Furthermore, it depicts her revenge as more emotional than Beowulf’s. This becomes ironic because Grendel and his mother are social outcasts due to their supposed uncivilised lifestyle, whereas Beowulf represents the human community, even though his emotional response is a desire for glory, not primarily …show more content…
God is described to hold the power of fate, and appears to be on Beowulf’s side as he “redress[es] the balance” (1555). This use of superlative language empowers Beowulf, whilst also showing his honour is respected by God, suggesting Grendel’s mother’s isn’t.
Beowulf’s want for glory dwarfs his want for revenge, as shown towards the end of the extract. Beowulf finds Grendel’s corpse “war-weary and wrecked” (1586) and decapitates him, taking his head as a war trophy. The use of alliteration emphasises Beowulf’s excitement at taking this, as he caused Grendel to appear this way. Additionally, by taking Grendel’s head instead of his mother’s shows him protecting his honour, as the original war trophy of the arm was taken away by Grendel’s mother, reinstating his role as protector and victor.
Grendel’s mother aims to achieve revenge, whilst Beowulf fights with the pretence of revenge, actually fighting for honour. Beowulf’s intentions are respected by society and God as he fulfils his societal role, whereas Grendel’s mother’s intentions aren’t as she defies
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