Examples Of Destruction In Beowulf

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Beowulf is an epic poem written in Old English by an unknown author. The main character of the book, Beowulf, ultimately clashes with an evil monster named Grendel. However, before that battle, Grendel goes on a murderous rampage that spans fourteen years, and he continues it every night. Fueled by a hatred for the God-praising citizens of the town and the construction of a boisterous town hall right above his home, Grendel’s ensuing rampage earns him the reputation of a purely evil being. Although Grendel’s continued mass murder is not justified, the invasion of his home and unlucky birth make it understandable.
When it comes to consistent genocide, it seems impossible to justify, especially when looking at just how much destruction Grendel caused. The first night is horrible enough to drive Hrothgar, the leader of the Danes, to tears. But the attacks got worse, in length and destruction, as “for twelve winters, seasons of woe, the lord of the Shieldings suffered under his …show more content…

The Danes, and all those who constructed Heorot, disregarded his feelings as they built their hall, Heorot, over his long-standing home. Heorot being his home, however, was not by choice, but rather Grendel’s bad luck. “Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding around the heath and the desolate hens; he had dwelled for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts”(Heaney 1088). Not only did Grendel’s property get invaded, he never had a choice as to where he could live due to him being born into the wrong bloodline, one that bred nothing but monsters. However, that is only the beginning of the streak of bad luck that ultimately drives Grendel to a murderous

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