Vengeance In The Epic Of Beowulf

Go through all of the book. There are so many things happening on the topic of

Things didn’t go so well when Grendel’s mother seen Beowulf. On page 62 “Then he saw the mighty water written and swings his sword, His ring- marked blade, straight at her head; The iron sang its fierce song, Sang Beowulf strength. But her guest discovered that no sword could slice her evil skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her was useless now when we needed it.” This quote is explaining the fight when they first seen each other. The way Beowulf killed Grendel’s mother. On page 61 “ He drew it from its scrabbard, broke the chain and its hilt, And then savage, now, angry And desperate, lifted it high over his head And stuck with all the strength he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through, Broke bones and all.” This quote explained how they were fighting and what the outcome had come to the death of Grendel’s Mother. You get paid for the bad things that you do. On page 63 “Time and seasons, He who is truly God. The monster’s hall was full of Rich Treasures, but all that Beowulf took was Grendel’s head and the hilt of the giants Jeweled sword, the rest of that ring-marked Blade had dissolved in Grendel is streaming Blood, boiling even after his death.” This quote is talking about how he cut Grendel head off and he got treasure for doing it basically they rewarded him for killing Grendel’s mother. Finally, it’s the big fight between Beowulf and the Dragon it’s a surprise what the

One who successfully fights in battle is important to the Anglo-Saxons as there is no greater honor than defeating one’s enemy. Beowulf was successful in defeating the enemy of the Danes, who were terrorizing the great hall of Heorot. Beowulf fought Grendel with his own bare hands and “was granted the glory of winning; Grendel was driven under the fen-banks, fatally hurt, to his desolate lair” (Heaney 55). Not only did Beowulf fight off Grendel, but also his mother, who sought after him in revenge for killing her son. Furthermore, Beowulf also defeated Grendel’s mother after a hard fight with a “resolute blow that bit deep into her neck-bone and severed it entirely” (Heaney 109). Another battle he fought was with the dragon who was attacking Geatland because one of the treasures in his possession, a cup, was stolen. Beowulf goes to fight the dragon on his own, not wanting to lose any of his men, and it is proved too much for him because, while he defeats the dragon, he is killed. These battles show his bravery and willingness to sacrifice himself for his people and other tribes, a great heroic

Beowulf is an epic poem that, above all, gives the reader an idea of a time long past; a time when the most important values were courage and integrity. The only factors that could bestow shower fame upon a person were heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the paradigm of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to amass fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is ever present throughout the poem seems to color the identities of its characters.

Beowulf’s first battle is against Grendel in an attempt to help King Hrothgar of Denmark and the Danes. The king builds a great mead-hall known as Heorot, where his warriors can gather to drink, receive gifts from their lord, and listen to stories sung by the bards. All the noise and commotion angers Grendel, who is a horrible demon that lives in the swamplands of the king’s kingdom. Grendel is an outcast who desperately wants to be a part of the Danes. He is bitter about being excluded from the mead-hall festivities. As a result of his jealousy and loneliness, Grendel terrorizes the Danes every night, killing them and defeating their efforts to fight back. The Danes live in fear, danger, and suffer death from Grendel for many, many years. Eventually, word of the kingdom’s suffering at the hands of Grendel reaches Beowulf. He feels inspired by the challenge of defeating the monster and decides to help the Danes. The king holds a big feast to celebrate Beowulf’s help,

Vengeance is an important value that causes misfortune in the story of Beowulf. It brings not only Beowulf, but many others, fame and glory, plus, wealth as well. It is not a sustainable value for it brings everyone in the story only destruction. The tribes that have been bonded together by this value get destroyed but it. The value of courage is tied into the story since almost the entire story is based on vengeance.

The word revenge is heard all over the news today. The news shows how people are trying to get revenge such as terrorist groups or individuals harming each other. However, even though the use of the word is frequent, not everyone has a clear understanding of what revenge clearly means. Revenge is defined as someone taking action to harm someone who has done something wrong to that certain person. Bryce Nelson the author of Revenge: Sweet, Universal and Self-Destructive: [Home Edition] stated: “As the victim contemplates revenge, he hopes desperately to overcome his feelings of impotence and to regain his former sense of self-worth” (Nelson 1). This article demonstrated how revenge was human nature by showing an example of someone getting revenge. The examples are demonstrated in definitions, characteristics, stories, and real-life events.

Vengeance is punishment inflicted or a retribution exacted for an injury or wrong. Or better known by the saying “eye for an eye”. I feel that Grendel’s mother was morally right for seeking vengeance for her son. Any mother would feel that way, I know mine would.

Anglo-Saxon culture consisted of receiving fame, glory, and wealth through acts of vengeance and courage. “Beowulf” portrays these parts in great detail and shows how destabilizing it can be. Through acts of vengeance, a never ending war occurs.

While today revenge is regarded as an impolite and impractical practice, in times past it was normalized, even celebrated. Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant and the acclaimed Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf describe vengeance as a ceremonious cornerstone of British, Saxon, Geat, and Danish society. In these societies partaking in revenge was widely regarded as noble and morally upright, though from a modern perspective these acts of vengeance would be regarded a petty and unjust. While characters in both The Buried Giant and Beowulf liberally practice and celebrate revenge, Ishiguro and Beowulf’s Anglo-Saxon author seem to critique the medium which their characters observe.

Beowulf’s wrath is swift and justified. He plays no games with his opponents. Beowulf even shows respect to his foe and honorably faces them with no undue advantage. A classic example of the honor usually associated with heroes lies in Beowulf’s decision to use neither sword nor armor when facing the monster Grendel in Heorot. Beowulf instead opted, in the name of fair play, to fight the monster on it’s own terms. Unsurprisingly Beowulf conquered his foe in true idolic form, tearing Grendel’s arm from his torso with only the strength of his grip and the power of his arms. This is what we cheer for in such stories, this is the satisfying victory over evil by the true embodiment of good: the hero.

However, revenge motivates the people in this pagan society, and before long, news of Hrothgar's troubles reach far and wide, including Geatland.  Beowulf feels compelled to come to Hrothgar's aid, not only for fame and glory, but also to settle an old feud between their kin.  Before long, Beowulf, "the Geat captain had boldly fulfilled his boast to the Danes: he had healed and relieved a huge distress, unremitting humiliations." (L. 827-830)  Before Beowulf killed Grendel, one of his Geats had to die by the hands of Grendel.  According to the honour of the heroic code, vengeance had to be imposed "and compensation, a price in gold, was settled for the Geat Grendel had cruelly killed earlier." (L. 1052-1054)  This is another example of how revenge is intricated into their society, and in this case Hrothgar, being the noble king that he is, pays the

In his three major battles, Beowulf fights for many different reasons. His motivation varies, and as he grows older and wiser his attitude toward these battles also changes. Throughout the epic, Beowulf bradoshously beats Grendel, then more methodically murders Grendel’s mother, and with his last breathes humbly hollers for help to slay the dragon. This shows that Beowulf’s early focuses of glory and riches changes as he becomes a weathered warrior acknowledges that he cannot defeat his enemies alone and must utilize the resources provided to him such as armor, magical items, and companions.

Anglo Saxon’s history is well known for their loyalty, courage and bravery. Beowulf our protagonist is symbolized as a hero, who represents the Anglo Saxons at the time. Beowulf earns his fame and respect through battling creatures nobody else would want to face. These creatures symbolize the evil that lurks beyond the dark. Beowulf’s intense battle with these creatures’ symbolizes the epic battle of good versus evil. In the end good triumphs over evil but one cannot avoid death. Beowulf’s death can be symbolized as the death of the Anglo Saxons. Beowulf’s battle through the poem reflects the kind of culture that the Anglo Saxons had. The youth of a warrior to his maturity then the last fight which results in death. Beowulf wanted to be

Revenge is the retaliation for injuries or wrongs; vengeance. Beowulf in this case is seeking revenge upon Grendel for purposes that he wants to defeat him. The poet of Beowulf represents the theme revenge in several ways likewise to Grendel and the Danes, Beowulf and Grendel on behalf of Hrothgar, and Beowulf and Grendel’s mother on behalf of Herot. The spiral revenge begins with Grendel and the Danes. Grendel seeks revenge on the Danes for disturbing his peace.