Is Grendel's mom really evil?

Grendel and his mother we are supposed to accept as evil; by their monstrous appearance and their evil-doings. Grendel massacres the Danes, but what does Grendel’s mother do that is so evil? All that she does is in retaliation for the death of her son, what is the difference really between her and Beowulf, as he seeks her out to avenge a friend of Hrothgar’s? In reference to the fight between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother, she is referred to twice as a wolf; first in line 1506: “that wolfish swimmer carried the ring-mailed prince to her court,” and then again in line 1599, “it was clear to many that the wolf of the deep had destroyed him forever.” Other language is used to describe Grendel’s mother as animalistic, such as when she “pounced” on Beowulf (line 1545), and when she senses Beowulf as a “human” presence, in contrast with herself (line 1499). Her lack of a name further dehumanizes her. By portraying Grendel’s mother as a fierce and strong animal, she becomes a monstrous, godless enemy against which Beowulf is justified in defending himself and the Danes. Beowulf, in contrast, is clearly a man with God on his side. He is decked out in armor, and frequently thanks God for his triumphs. He is named over and over, his status as a warrior and prince and his lineage are all mentioned repeatedly. This is supposed to make us sympathetic towards Beowulf, understanding his retaliation against Grendel’s mother for the death of a human is acceptable, Godly, and just. At the same time, we are supposed to resent Grendel’s mother, finding her retaliation for the death of her son somehow less just, less Godly, less acceptable. If she is a nameless wolf, a terrifying creature, a wild animal, dragging Beowulf to the depths of a lake like prey to be eaten, then it is not only justified, but expected for Beowulf to kill her. This also distracts our sympathies away from her as Grendel steals the sword that is her heirloom, in her armory, and uses it to kill her. You can’t really steal from a wolf, by societal standards. And yet, Grendel and his mother are supposedly descended from Cain, a human. All that is left to separate Grendel’s mother’s actions and Beowulf’s then is the animalistic portrayal of Grendel’s mother and the supposed Godliness of Beowulf. 

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 14, 2017 at 9:20 PM

    I like the connection that you made between Grendel's mother and Beowulf. I hadn't previously put that together! I also think that Grendel's mother may not be as evil as the epic makes her out to be. She is said to have lived in the mere for a hundred years and was not a menace as Grendel was. I think that she portrays more control over her life and that is why she is able to control her "evil" destiny for so long. At the end, she finally gives in to her anger, but that is only because her son was murdered.

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  2. UnknownSeptember 17, 2017 at 12:33 PM

    Cindy, animalism minimizes the importance of Grendel’s mother and her attempt to “do right” on her son’s behalf. By describing Grendel’s mother as “that swamp-thing” (1518) and “the tarn hag,” (1519) the author further reinforces her inferiority and how she has no place to cause a disturbance in society. In contrast, the author humanizes the sword of Grendel’s mother, Hrunting. Beowulf takes possession of the sword and it emphasizes not only his strength, but his position over her as a man: “With Hrunting I shall gain glory or die” (1491). The author increases the importance of the sword by giving it a name. While Grendel’s mother plays the role of the antagonist and her death reinforces the heroism of Beowulf, the author fails to give her a name and yet the author gives an inanimate object, a sword, a name. This distinction stresses the disparity between the role of men and women in society.

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