Grendel's Villainy In Beowulf

In the ancient Anglo-Saxon epic, Beowulf, the monster Grendel exhibits villainy through his killing of innocent people and through his birth, from the killing of Abel. Grendel displays villainy when he kills thirty innocent Danes in Herot’s Hall. The narrator says that Grendel “Snatched up thirty men, smashed them. Unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, the blood dripping behind him, back to his lair, delighted with his night’s slaughter.” (Beowulf 37-40). Grendel not only killed thirty innocent men, but afterwards took their bodies and headed back to his lair delighted. The men were not able to defend themselves due to Grendel’s armor being impenetrable by the Dane’s swords. Therefore, showing delight after killing thirty defenseless

men proves Grendel’s corrupt nature. Furthermore, Grendel demonstrates the qualities of a villain from the moment of his birth through the sin committed by Cain killing Abel.

The story of the birth of Grendel states “He was spawned in that slime, conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death” (Beowulf 19-24). The monster Grendel, from the begging of his life, was banished by God for all of his life. Grendel lives under a lake covered with fire that can be compared to as hell. The fact that Grendel lives in a hell-like home, and takes joy in killing people shows how he can be compared to the Devil. Being compared to or called the Devil reveals his true villainous character. Lastly, Grendel portrays villainy when he wreaks havoc on the Danes and causes all of them to live in fear by themselves to avoid his clutches. The trouble of the Danes spread by word of mouth saying “How the monster relished his savage war on the Danes, keeping the blood feud alive, seeking no peace, offering, no truce, accepting no settlement, no price in gold or land… That shadow of death hunted in the darkness” (Beowulf 67-74). Grendel would not let the Danes live in peace; he ravaged their land for twelve

years. Grendel would make sure the Danes were in hiding. If one of the Danes were to show themselves, they would be eaten by the monster Grendel. Making sure everyone suffers through the terrible life he possesses emphasizes his evil character. All in all Grendel conveys the characteristics of a villain through his merciless killings of the defenseless Danes and through his sinful birth from the killing of Abel.