Yet, they each symbolize something of their own. Grendel represents the dark side of humans. Grendel comes from Cain, who becomes the first murderer after he kills his brother, which reinforces that he represents human nature. Greed and jealousy are common traits in humans and Grendel manifests these traits into malignancy. The battle with Grendel’s mother represents the moment in which Beowulf seeks battle in an unknown place and ends up winning. He looks for Grendel’s mother instead of waiting for her and ends up representing a challenge between victory and defeat, a struggle. Lastly, the dragon symbolizes death. Despite Beowulf’s strength, he is unable to defeat a powerful monster and does not survive the aftermath. The dragon shows that no amount of fighting can allow you to escape death/defeat. That is exactly what happens to Beowulf and will soon happen to
Yet, they each symbolize something of their own. Grendel represents the dark side of humans. Grendel comes from Cain, who becomes the first murderer after he kills his brother, which reinforces that he represents human nature. Greed and jealousy are common traits in humans and Grendel manifests these traits into malignancy. The battle with Grendel’s mother represents the moment in which Beowulf seeks battle in an unknown place and ends up winning. He looks for Grendel’s mother instead of waiting for her and ends up representing a challenge between victory and defeat, a struggle. Lastly, the dragon symbolizes death. Despite Beowulf’s strength, he is unable to defeat a powerful monster and does not survive the aftermath. The dragon shows that no amount of fighting can allow you to escape death/defeat. That is exactly what happens to Beowulf and will soon happen to