Comparing Beowulf 'And A Thousand Years Of Baggage'

The Epic Beowulf chronicles the life of a man who begins as the fiercest, most dauntless warrior the world has ever seen, and ends as an old, great king who has sacrificed himself for his people. Throughout his life, he battles three evil beings who threaten human lives. As a young man, he travels across the sea to save Hrothgar, king of the Danes from their evil monster Grendel. After defeating Grendel, his mother seeks vengeance and becomes the new plague of Hrothgar’s kingdom; however, Beowulf defeats her as well, again saving the Danes. Later in life, he becomes king of his native land of Geatland. Beowulf’s story ends as he is an old King, as Hrothgar once was. Now, his own kingdom is haunted by a wicked and avaricious dragon. Instead

When Grendel is killed by Beowulf, Grendel’s mother throws herself over her son’s body, and lets out uncontrollable, chilling sobs. The audience is presented with a mother mourning the death of her son, which is a very human image. In the following scene, Grendel’s mother and Beowulf talk face to face, where she asks Beowulf if he knows the difference between good and bad; he is unable to answer the question. As a moral hero, Beowulf should be able to articulate a clear distinction, but he is unable to do so. Moreover, when Grendel’s mother kills a man, who in the epic, is described as being “the most beloved” (1296) to Hrothgar. In the play, the chorus breaks into a song that claims, “it is better to retaliate than to mourn.” Beowulf takes these words with him as he goes to fight Grendel’s mother, and eventually kill her as well. Beowulf’s killing her is justified because it is labeled as vengeance for her killing one of their own. However, her killing one of the Danes can be seen as retribution for their killing her son. The audience at least sees her grief and her heartbreak. No such thing is seen when a Dane is killed. Instead, they are presented with celebration of the death of Grendel’s mother, as opposed to the mourning of their fallen