The Purpose of Comparison Between Grendel, the Dragon, and the Hero in Beowulf*

Abstract

In an effort to challenge assumptions that dilute these characters as mere antagonists of an ancient epic, this article analyzes the functions of two of the main monsters within Beowulf: Grendel and the dragon. By employing research ranging from historical to literary alongside close reading methodologies, readers can find parallels between the noble warrior, Beowulf, and his adversaries. Considering these parallels, guided by an understanding of societal virtues relevant to the early centuries of pagan Scandinavia, this piece determines whether these comparisons are deliberate measures on behalf of the Beowulf-poet to accentuate the hero’s righteous qualities. Through the personification of corruption and mirroring characteristics linking Beowulf and his opponents, the Beowulf-poet appears to illustrate the differences between an upstanding ruler and rapacious killer. By clarifying these foils, supported by historic reports related to the poem’s creation in ancient civilization, this article contends that the Beowulf monsters are measures for contextualizing the story and gleaning insight pertaining to bygone ideas of goodness and nobility. This paper finds that Beowulf’s adversaries serve as literary tools for his characterization and provide significant knowledge related to moral conventions of ancient societies for readers of the 21st century.

*Winner of the Deans’ Distinguished Essay Award