Who Is To Blame Grendel's Mother

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The epic poem Beowulf is an Anglo Saxon literary that portrays important aspects of life. Some of these aspects found within the poem are familiar and alien to us, causing the reading of the poet, to be a challenge. Despite the spanning a thousand years, the poem indicates readers because we can relate to the idea of a mother’s revengeful anger. No one can blame Grendel’s mother for avenging her son’s death; in fact, we can almost sympathize for her loss. However, we certainly cannot relate to the idea that people are no longer loyal to one another today. When we read Beowulf’s people fleeing from him, we readers become irate. However, one should read Beowulf despite the conflicting aspects that create that problems and aliens ideas because …show more content…
The epic hero, Beowulf, kills Grendel to bring peace to king Hrothgar and the people of the Danes after twelve years. However, the grief over Grendel’s death causes further destruction when Grendel’s mother attacks the Danish people in order to seek revenge for the death of her son. The affliction and revenge by Grendel’s mother is evident when she, “ took a single victim and fled from the hall, running to the moors, discovered, but her supper assured in her dripping claws. She’d taken Hrothgar’s closest friend”(411-414). Not only did she take away the serenity of the Danes, but she strategically inflicts internal pain and suffering that goes beyond the physical. In today’s time, there are mothers who take revenge for their children’s suffering, which causes destruction in others’ lives. It is a naturally occurring response; however, revenge causes major catastrophes in …show more content…
However, the people of Geats and great warriors leave their protector behind, Beowulf, while he was battling the dragon. The great epic hero, who guarded Geats for more than 50 years with his phenomenal strength is now weakened as his own people ran away like cowards when he need support. The shameful act of cowardliness is evident when , “ None of his comrades came to him, helped him, his brave and noble followers; they ran for their lives, fled deep in wood”(691-694). Beowulf’s courage helped him to defeat evil monsters. His protection made his people weaker to face the major obstacles with strength. Not only it affected Beowulf but also his people after his death as they were ashamed of their cowardliness which killed their king. After Beowulf’s death, Wiglaf made the Geats realize the sacrifices that Bewoulf made to maintain peace. Yet, no Geat held the courage to come forward and help their king. The regret came to them when their king was gone. Wiglaf made Geats realize their mistake when he said that, “ death would be better for them all, and for you, than the kind of life can lead, branded with disgrace”(770-774). All Geats were ashamed of their cowardliness act.. It shows that courage is important in an individual to defeat evil; however, this aspect is
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