What Is Beowulf Hateful

Driven by treasure, blood, or honor; revenge can make anyone commit a crime or transgression. In Beowulf revenge transpires throughout the entire epic poem. Grendal was hateful and out for blood until Beowulf killed him for fame and honor. Grendal's mother was devastated and took her anger out on Beowulf's best friend. The pain, the hurt she wanted Beowulf to feel that.

In the events of Beowulf Grendal, the sin-stained demon whom was terrorizing the kingdom, came out each night to feast on the sleeping bodies of Herot. He sunk his teeth into the bodies of his victims. Tasting the red hot blood flow through his body, Grendal had a very simple motivation: blood and hate. Nothing and no one stood in his way when he came tearing through the

kingdom until on day, then the tables were turned. The king, Hrothgar, calls upon Beowulf to take on this monster and save his kingdom from Grendal's wrath. Beowulf, with great honor accepted this quest and left his home of the Geats. Motivated to become the hero of the Danes and take in all the fame that came along with it, Beowulf set off. Besides the definite fame, he was also motivated by honor. He felt the need to show his bravery and fearlessness like his father did before him. Beowulf goes into battle with no weapons of any sort just his bare hands. "I have heard, too, that the monster's scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord Higlac."(166-169). This was a wondrous example of his courage and fortitude. Taking on this grandiose monster, tearing his whole arm out of the his body leaving him to die a slow painful death. He proceeds to bring back the arm as proof that he succeeded in his journey, and the kingdom is once again safe thanks to Beowulf. Showing no remorse Beowulf was more confident in himself then ever before. Little did he know he had stirred up the mother of his victim and she was out for blood.
Down deep in the marsh, Grendal's mother had plotted her plan. She was going for the blood of Beowulf's best friend. The sorrow the grieving monster had felt, she wanted him to suffer in that experience as she had. Once her evil deed was finished, Beowulf caught word of this horrific death and swore to take her life. This time he went with weapons, he wanted revenge. With his mind clouded with anger he headed straight to the home of this terrible monster, Grendal's mother. "He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone's answer; the heaving water covered him over. For hours he sank through the waves; at last he saw the mud of the bottom."(450-453). During the long battle she could not hurt for his armor protected him from her mauling. The heartache he felt did not stop him from fighting her to the death. With his judgment lead with anger, he beheaded her with the old sword from the awful monsters home. After the battle he returned to the surface and cut off Grendal's head and brought it back to show off his success. "Then the Geats' brave prince entered Herot, covered with glory for the daring battles he had fought; he sought Hrothgar to salute him and show Grendal's head. He carried that terrible trophy by the hair, brought it straight to where the Danes sat, drinking, the queen among them. It was a weird and wonderful sight, and the Warriors stared."(558-605). Having no regret, he was proud of the deed he had done. He had the fame, honor, and blood of his enemy.
Eventually the crown was passed down to Beowulf and he ruled the kingdom for fifty years.

All was well until one day a thief stole a golden cup from the dragon. The gruesome dragon was woken; outraged he brought trepidation to Herot. Once more, Beowulf had to show his courage and bravery to his people. Although he was motivated to obtain the treasure the heinous dragon had in his home. With sword in hand he and his soldiers went off to kill the beast. During the gory battle Beowulf's sword melted from the heat of the creatures fire; still he raised his sword to stab him. Phew thrusted it out and the ancient sword broke. "The dragon leaped with pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting murderous flames, spreading them everywhere. And the Geats' ring-giver did not boast of glorious victories of other wars: his weapon had failed him, deserted him, now when he needed it most, that excellent sword."(675-682). All of his soldiers run in dear except one, Wiglaf. As Beowulf was injured Wiglaf went to his aid and helped him defeat the righteous dragon. Falling to its death Beowulf commands Wiglaf to get the treasures and bring them to him. Returned with the treasures, Wiglaf listened to Beowulf speak, "Take what I leave, Wiglaf, lead my people, help them; my time is gone. Have the brave Geats build me a tomb..."(810-813). Honored, Wiglaf accepted this offer for he was deserving of it, and Beowulf had no real son. Filled with rage he scolded the other soldiers for not going to the aid of their leader when he needed them most. "I say what anyone who speaks the truth must say... Too few of his soldiers remembered to come, when our lord faced death,

alone."(851-854).
Revenge has many motivations like treasure, honor, fame, and blood.