Probably all the drink. They probably knew that if they tried to hit the grendel it could strike a fatal blow on the wrong side.
Probably all the drink. They probably knew that if they tried to hit the grendel it could strike a fatal blow on the wrong side.
Beowulf had to face Grendel alone because only weapons made by humans could harm Grendel, who was invulnerable to traditional weapons. Beowulf chose to confront Grendel without any weapons to prove his strength and prowess in battle. Additionally, Beowulf's men were unable to come to his aid as Grendel used his supernatural abilities to put them in a magical sleep.
In the novel "Grendel" by John Gardner, Grendel's perspective on good and evil is complex and shifting. At times, he sees goodness in figures like the Shaper for his ability to create meaning and purpose. However, Grendel ultimately views the world as chaotic and devoid of inherent goodness.
Beowulf owes a family debt to Hrothgar because Hrothgar's father helped settle a feud and make peace with Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow. Beowulf's father was indebted to Hrothgar's father for his assistance, which Beowulf sees as a reason to repay the debt by helping Hrothgar against the monster, Grendel.
The Geats believed helping Hrothgar was an honorable duty.
The Geats believed helping Hrothgar was an honorable duty.
This remark suggests that the Geats trust Beowulf's ability to defeat Grendel, likely based on his previous heroic deeds and reputation for courage. The Geats are confident in Beowulf's skills and leadership, hence why none of them show any regret or doubt about his decision to face this formidable opponent.
In sections XIX-XXI of Beowulf, the main plot points are: Beowulf prepares to fight the dragon to protect his people, he faces the dragon alone as his warriors retreat in fear, Beowulf's sword fails him in battle, and Wiglaf comes to his aid, helping Beowulf defeat the dragon but also getting wounded in the process.
Beowulf is assisted in killing the dragon by Wiglaf, a courageous warrior who comes to his aid when all the other warriors flee in fear. Wiglaf provides essential support and lands the final blow to the dragon, helping Beowulf achieve victory in the battle.
Scyld Scefing Hrothgar Grendal Unferth Wealtheow Beowulf Beca Hygelac Hygd Hardred She-hag Wiglaf Aeschere The Firedrake
Both were very oriented towards getting glory. Achilles' only reason for going to Troy is to enhance his own glory. Beowulf is not quite as direct about this, but the value of glory and fame in his society suggests that glory was very important for him as well. Beowulf is perhaps a little bit more selfless, in that he is also helping out a small kingdom. Achilles does not care much about the Greeks, as he wishes for them to do poorly just to beg him to come back. This wish of his results in the deaths of many Greeks, including his best friend Patroclus. Both heroes have a final enemy, though Beowulf has two, and even three if you consider the dragon at the end. In Beowulf, the story centers around his upcoming battle with Grendel and then gives us the bonus of his battle with Grendel's mother. The dragon at the end almost seems like an afterthought, and gives Beowulf the glory of dying nobly. Achilles's final enemy is Hector, whom he beats about as easily as Beowulf beats Grendel. The ease of their victories shows the authors of these works trying to demonstrate how vastly superior these men were. These days, we like difficult struggles to prove our heroes' worth. Back then, a hero had little trouble dispatching his enemies. Having said this, Beowulf DOES struggle to kill Grendel's mother, but even here, his victory is assured. Both men were not kings when they did the deeds they are most famous for. Achilles is a prince, since his father Peleus is still alive. I am sorry, but I do not know Beowulf's actual status when he fights Grendel, but he does not become a king until later in the story. Beowulf does not have the companion that Achilles has (Patroclus). Nor does he have any of Achilles' anger. This is a very big difference between the two. As I said before, both men are fueled by pride and glory, but Achilles later becomes fueled by vengeance over the slaying of his friend Patroclus. This leads Achilles to fight his biggest enemy, Hector. Beowulf does not have the anger motivation. Last thought, Achilles dies in a fairly poor way. He is shot in the heel by Paris. I believe he is killed this way because no mortal being can kill him in hand to hand combat. The poets needed to kill him though, to make his story more tragic. No hero wants to die this way. Beowulf, on the other hand, dies fighting a dragon, which is probably one of the coolest ways to die in his culture. Beowulf's death is definitely better than Achilles. You could argue that his character is too, as he is motivated by glory and the eagerness to help, and not glory and rage.
Wiglaf decides to fight alongside Beowulf because he is loyal to his king and committed to upholding the warrior code of loyalty and bravery. He also feels a strong sense of duty to protect his leader and the kingdom from the dragon's threat.
Medea cannot return to her homeland because she has killed her brother, Apsyrtus, while fleeing with Jason. This act has made her an outcast and enemy of her family and homeland. Additionally, she has committed other crimes, including helping Jason steal the Golden Fleece, which further prevents her from returning.