Anglo-Saxon society judges its individuals behavior on specific values and morals. This society focuses on a strong sense of community and it treasures fame. The values of the Anglo-Saxon society are embodied by the brave, fearless and exemplary soldier, Beowulf. Beowulf is the protagonist in the epic poem, Beowulf. This character is brought upon conflicts and challenges by inhuman creatures that threaten his existence and the perseverance of his culture. In the epic poem, Beowulf battles a monster named Grendel. This adversary and his conflicts are an allusion to the war against the fall of the Anglo-Saxon society, their values and morals.
In some ways, Beowulf reminds the reader of the heroes in today's world. He has superior physical strength, he is ethical, and he risks his life to save others whose lives are in danger. He also possesses the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxons. He loves law and liberty, has a great sense of fair play, loves adventures, is athletic and brave, is devoted to duty, believes in death before dishonor, and believes that loyalty is the most important virtue.
Beowulf is essentially the good character because the poet makes references of him speaking about Christian beliefs. God would never be on the side of evil. Beowulf is fighting for the right thing, but when he is dying he says, "Fate has swept our race away." He switches from a belief in God to a belief in fate. Christians do not believe in the idea of fate. They believe in Gods Plan. This is because fate has a different meaning during this time period. It meant the inevitable, adverse outcome, or it meant death. In Beowulf's case, it meant death.
Grendel is introduced at the beginning of the story. He is a giant cannibal who lives in the outer darkness. A word to describe him is evil. He was, "Conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain," and "made his home in a hell not hell but earth. There is no goodness within Grendel. The poet identifies him as a descendent of Cain, the first murderer, saying that he is pure evil. Grendel is the first beast Beowulf encounters in the epic. Grendel is one who is described sinisterly as a dark, lurking devilish creature that hates humans and their festive qualities. He feasts on human flesh and terrorizes the Mead Hall of the Danes. The creature is considered an outcast as well. Beowulf confronts this creature of the night in a graphic battle which the hero fights with courage as his only weapon. With little struggle, the protagonist rises as a victor in a symbolic fight against the disintegration of his society. Grendel and his quarrel with Beowulf represent the first corruptions against the values the epic hero represents. The cause of this conflict is the survival of a society, a great cause for a battle, but as the poem progresses, this is no more.
Beowulf's strength is matched in his quarrel with Grendel, finding him against the pure evil of his adversary. Grendel and Beowulf are Different. Beowulf possesses the values of the good character, while Grendel possesses those of an evil one. The escalation of the society's demise is apparent but it manages to survive this direct confrontation against the corruptive evil that infiltrates the community. ...My purpose was this: to win the good will/ of your people or die in battle, pressed/ In Grendel's fierce grip. Let me live in greatness/ And courage, or here in this hall welcome my death!" (Line 354) This battle remains the last for which the cause is a moral one, and signals the near conclusion of the ethics present in the Anglo-Saxon beliefs.
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