Beowulf Journals

Ln. 144. ”…Grendel ruled in defiance of right, one against all…” Grendel’s lineage is Cain, which gives us a different look at Grendel. Since he was born or made into a world where he was exiled, he has a reason to be upset or angry with God and what he had created. I think this is saying that he feels alone. Being exiled, Grendel continues to cause mischief because he’s already had the worst punishment he could get. He doesn’t want to do right because he doesn’t need to.

Ln. 147 “…For twelve winters, seasons of woe, the lord of the Shieldings suffered under his load of sorrow…” Twelve winters is the ‘season of death’ and twelve winters specifically can hint at Christmas/Christmas Eve again. Lord of Shieldings is Hrothgar’s other name, an honor of lineage. 

Ln. 149 “…before long the news was known over the whole world…” Grendel ironically makes peace. Peace may not be present in Heorot, but definitely between them and other countries. No country wants to attack a place where a monster is.

Ln. 156 “…nor pay the death-price…” payment would be a substantial fine to the family of the victim. Wergild (motif).

Ln. 164. “…So Grendel waged his lonely war…” the tone of this almost makes it seem like he doesn’t really want to be at war at all. He might just take his hurt out on other people. Maybe he just wants attention…. (Like Beowulf…) 

Ln. 168. “…But the throne itself, the treasure seat, he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord’s outcast…” King’s of the time were chosen because of two reasons: God either chose them or they were known as God’s descendents. Maybe Grendel couldn’t approach the throne because God, the one who had exiled him, had blessed it.

Ln. 175. “… Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed offerings to idols, swore oaths that the killer of souls might come to their aid and save the people…” They were hoping that the devil would kill Grendel, they didn’t know God well enough to pray to him. Christians identified the old pagan gods with devils. (It’s ironic that they were hoping for the devil when they got a god-like figure like Beowulf who destroyed him with his bare hands.) Pagan failing.

Ln. 310. “…majesty lodged there, its light shone over many lands…” its in contrast with the darkness inside of Grendel. Grendel darkens the palace with his hate.

Ln. 318 “…I’m away to the sea, back on alert against enemy raiders…” they either had a lot of confidence in Beowulf or they thought others had heard that he was on his way to slay Grendel. Grendel being there made it so there was peace between the Danes and other countries – they didn’t need to be on alert.