Beowulf Journals 29-35

29.

Line 455 ~ Fate goes ever as fate must

Pagans believe in fate. They believe that everything happens for a reason. Fate is a force of nature that can’t be controlled. This line backs up the theme of transitory nature of life, time is fleeting and moments in life pass quickly. Blind fate picks random victims, this is wyrd. Beowulf was fated to fill Grendel.

30.

Lines 1512-1517 ~ The gallant man could see he had entered some hellish turn-hole…then he saw firelight, a gleam and flare-up, a glimmer of brightness.

The hall in Grendel’s mother’s lair could be as great as Heorots; if it wasn’t ruled by monsters and in a hellish place.

31.

Grendel

Grendel means wail or scream. Grendel’s name may be what it is because he can’t talk, and whenever he tries this horrible screaming noise comes out.

Grendel is from Cain's Clan. Much like Cain, Grendel can't be aided by other men because of the mark placed on him by God, so he lives as an outcast. He just wants to be loved by God. He may go on his murderous rampages because the Danes are happy and Grendel can never be happy.

32.

Lines 293-300 ~ What more, I’ll order my own comrades on their word of honor to watch your boat…May one so valiant and venturesome come unharmed through the clash of battle.

The Coast Guard’s first impression of Beowulf is so great that he has one of his men watch over the Geat’s ships. This man puts all his faith in the fact that Beowulf will kill the monster. He only hopes that Beowulf returns to the ship alive.

33.

Lines 1368-1372 ~ On its bank, the heather-stepper halts…That is no good place.

This is a little side story that describes how terrible Grendel’s mother’s lair is. A deer that is being chased by a pack of wolves woulf rather turn and fights the dogs rather then enter the lair. Now if you pick certain death by being mauled rather than going into a cave; that cave must be extremely bad. 

34.

Grendel’s mom’s lair vs. Heorot vs. dragon lair

Heorot:

Heorot is the greatest hall ever built. The gables were wide and high, and this mead hall was meant to be a wonder of the world forever. And it was, until the Danes were defeated and the hall burnt down.

Grendel’s Mother’s Lair:

The entrance is at the top of a cliff. The bank overhangs the water and you can see other monsters swimming, waiting for someone to fall. The lair gives off a bad vibe.

Once you swim to the bottom of the lake, you reach the inside of the lair. It’s basically a dark cave with treasure littering the ground.

Dragon’s Lair:

The dragon’s lair is sort of a combination between Heorot and Grendel’s mother’s den. It is tucked away underground and it is decorated with an amazing treasure that has been hidden for hundreds of years.

35.

Lines 1167-1186 ~ The queen spoke: “Enjoy this drink, my most generous lord; raise your goblet, entertain the Geats duly and gently, discourse with them, be open-handed, happy and fond…all the good things we gave him once, the favour and respect he found in his childhood.

Wealtheow tells Hrothgar to eat, drink and be merry not that Grendel is gone, but she doesn’t want him to necessarily go ‘adopt’ Beowulf. She knows that if he adopts Beowulf, that Hrothgar will name him king rather than one of her sons.

She wants Hrothgar to pick someone out of their family to be the next king. Wealtheow would prefer it to be her son, but is Hrothgar picks his nephew, she is sure that he will treat her sons with respect. (Even though she really knows that he kills them to become king.)