Table of Contents
What obstacles does Beowulf have to overcome?
Beowulf faces many challenges in his battle with Grendel’s mother. The first and most obvious challenge Beowulf faces is finding and reaching the lair of Grendel’s mother. After the bloody attack on Heorot, Beowulf tracks the footprints of Grendel’s mother across desolate moors.
What did Beowulf overcome?
Given that Beowulf possess the many characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon hero, he has the ability to defeat the monster Grendel. In the end, Beowulf takes the arm of Grendel as a trophy, and confirmation, of his vanquishing the beast known for tormenting the people of Hrothgar’s kingdom.
What is Beowulf’s goal in the poem and what are the obstacles he has to overcome?
one of Beowulf’s main goals is to win glory by killing Grendel. His deeds have given him a reputation for heroism and support from his people to help the Danes. When he goes into the lake to fight Grendel’s mother, the bystanders fear he has lost his life—and fame: here, death equals defeat equals loss of glory.
Who helped Beowulf in his challenges?
Beowulf’s trusted sword, Naegling, is no match for the monster. Seeing his king in trouble, one thane, Wiglaf, goes to his assistance while the others flee to the woods. Together, Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon, but the mighty king is mortally wounded. He has won every battle but one.
What does Beowulf do to Grendel’s corpse?
The lair becomes brighter after Grendel’s mother dies, and Beowulf is able to inspect his surroundings. He finds Grendel’s body and, to take further revenge, he decapitates the corpse. When Beowulf cuts off Grendel’s head, the water heaves and surges, and they can see blood.
What are Grendel’s problems and challenges?
The problem with Grendel is that he seems to kill for fun and he won’t pay the death-price: the treasure that he should give to the Danes to make reparations for the lives that he has taken.
Is Beowulf good or evil?
Lesson Summary Beowulf is certainly an epic of good versus evil. The difference between them is striking, especially in the beginning of the poem. On the side of good, we have the hero Beowulf and his loyal follower Wiglaf, and on the side of evil, we have the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.
Is Beowulf a hero?
The story is set in pagan Scandinavia in the 6th century. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel’s mother attacks the hall and is then defeated.
Why can’t Grendel’s mother hurt Beowulf?
She wants revenge, she kills Hrothgan’s best man and retrieves Grendel’s arms. After Beowulf follows her under water, why can’t she hurt him? His chain mail protects him and God. You just studied 13 terms!