Compare and Contrast Essay on Grendel and Beowulf in Terms of Kinds of Community They Create Around Themselves

Introduction

The epic story of Beowulf revolves around a heroic chronicling the memorable deeds of Geatish warrior Beowulf. This great warrior sails across the sea to assist in getting rid of Danes of a monster known as Grendel. The evil monster, Grendel had been terrorizing and wreaking havoc in the kingdom. Beowulf is being termed as a hero while Grendel is seen to be an antihero (Bammesberger, 2006). These two characters, in reality, are parallels with only a few similarities. The differences and similarities that is evident in these two individuals stem from the kind of the community they create around themselves. Hence, this paper will dwell more in-depth on the comparison that exists between Grendel and Beowulf regarding the kinds of the community they create around themselves.

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We should not forget that both Grendel and Beowulf are outcasts and both of them love working or operating alone in most of the things they do. Secondly, these two characters are easily filled with anger when engaged in a battle. The anger for Beowulf stems from the acts of the monster which includes vicious killings (Jack, 1994). On the other hand, the anger of the monster, Grendel stems from being offended by the merrymakings of happiest men in the kingdom. Thirdly, Beowulf and Grendel are so boastful in their endeavors, even though Beowulf case of boasting is understandable and has a reason to whereas Grendel whatsoever has no reason to boast. Both Grendel and Beowulf value the aspect of family and relationships in their lives (Bammesberger, 2006). If we flash back a little while when Beowulf goes into the cave, he encounters the mother of Grendel. With a sign of a mother is a mere indication that a loving relationship exists between her son even though he is a monster. The mother is more devastated by the loss of son Grendel. These two characters love doing things on their own. They are fighting by themselves without the use of any weaponry. They both embrace strength and wit to win any battle that confronts them.

All that said and done, these two, when compared to one another on how they create kinds of community around themselves, is seen to be worlds apart. A good community that is being aspired by many is one that is peaceful with itself. Every individual strives to make confirmatory contributions to the community they reside. But according to the way Grendel tries to create the ideal community is one filled with monster activities. Grendel creates a community that is uninhabitable. A community that is filled with Danes of evil killings of a monster (Jack, 1994). Grendel is the one that breaks the harmony that existed there before in the kingdom. Grendel is seen terrorizing and wreaking havoc to any soul in the community that he comes face to face. Thus, the community regards Grendel as a repugnant creature who glorifies evil and only deserves to be extinct from the face of the earth for the evil actions. On the hand, Beowulf tries tooth and nail to create a pleasant and hospitable community that he resides or that is nearby. This is evident from his actions when he decides to voyage across the seas and go to save the lives of people in the kingdom by eliminating the Danes of an evil monster (Bammesberger, 2006). Thus, the community members feel deep from within their hearts that Beowulf is a hero and its through his heroic deeds that helped to get rid of the fiendish monster from their community and halting its bane of evil.

Grendel the monster comprehends that the community as a brute. He further considers the community to be as a mechanical place that should not have a universal or pattern laws. Grendel creates a community that does not hold beautiful concepts such as beauty, love, and religion. Grendel creates a community that is filled with merely human projections intertwined with universe chaos (Jack, 1994). In his way, Grendel attempts to shape the surrounding community that exists in reality to the one that he desires of. The existence of a real world comprises a community where kings are kings; virgins are virgins and warriors are warriors. Grendel wants to be seen as a descendant who epitomizes malice and resentment in a community (Bammesberger, 2006). The community he creates is being represented as a guardian of crime and shepherd of evil. By being cruel, evil and apathetic creature sums up his pleasure lies in devouring and attacking innocent men of Hrothgar (Jack, 1994).

Beowulf shows valor in everything he does. He loves to create a community that full of life and peace in its coexistence. Beowulf shows a lot of courage by traveling to an unknown land to fight a monster attacking a community joyful. Beowulf through his selfless, he fought military battles to oversee peace, unity and love return in the kingdom. His motive can be considered that of rightfully since he was involved directly in getting rid of the Danes of the monster. Beowulf tried so hard to be loyal to the community. His loyalty lay with Hrothgar and the king.

Reference

Bammesberger, A. (2006). The syntactic analysis of the opening verses in Beowulf. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews, 19(4), 3-7.

Jack, George, ed. Beowulf: a student edition. Clarendon Press, 1994.