Symbolism Vs. Symbolical Monsters In Beowulf

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Beowulf vs Symbolical Monsters Beowulf, by an Anglo- Saxon poet (Anonymously), is an old epic poem that illustrates several meaning such as symbolism or allegorical meaning. In Christian medieval culture, “monster” referred to birth defects, which was understood as a sign from God. The monsters in Beowulf, each have their own meaning behind each battle, and their own symbolism within their own character. Grendel was the biblical figure of Cain and Christianly symbolizes Sin, Grendel’s mother was the complete opposite of culture values in women. The dragon has been robbed and understandably angry. The dragon symbolizes the encounter with death itself. Within this essay, I will …show more content…

Seeing him more than just a monster but as a monster with human or animal traits. Noetzel states more about Grendel as the monster that possesses a human-animal nature. He represents everything a warrior shouldn’t be or functions as the complete opposite of all Anglo-Saxon warriors’ virtues. Mark Bradshaw write a literal criticism called "The Case for A Sleeping Spell in Beowulf." He explains the representation of "Sleeping Magic" that Grendel uses or the rituals, to overcome the Danes’. Bradshaw states; "It is stated that despite the symbolic associations that appear along with magic creatures throughout "Beowulf," editors and translators treat Grendel like an ordinary monster that has little symbolic …show more content…

This battle was Beowulf’s toughest and final battle that ended in a surprise. The dragon was functioned as the opposite of a good king because he guards the treasure but can do nothing with it. He represents malice, destruction, and greed; which equals to the dark side of kingship. The dragon symbolizes the encounter with death itself. Beowulf and the dragon are lords who responds when their halls are violated. The dragon has been robbed and understandably angry. Being the opposite of a good king, this serpent and Beowulf have what was known as “Evil Twin” connection. Their “twin” nature comes along with each other’s bane, and both of them having “Forman”. Even though both were lords compared as similar figures, or idyllically similar, their encounter ended in a mutual destruction. The basically cancelled each other out, neither one survived their final

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