Comparison-Contrast Essay Assignment Sheet

Comparison-Contrast Essay Assignment Sheet

Compare-Contrast Beowulf and Grendel

Francis Daniel Tovar

SJS

Abstract

In this compare and contact essay will be taking about the differences and similarities between Beowulf and Grendel from the Beowulf an Anglo Saxon epic Translated by Burton Raffle. In this essay will be only touching the most important differences and similarities of this two epic characters including strength, good and evil, greed, etc.….

        What characteristics make Beowulf similar to Grendel? What unique characteristics does Grendel have? This are some questions that you may have asked for a long time. In this essay we will be tearing apart some information to set the differences and similarities between this two epic characters. First, we will commence with their similarities.

       Some of the similarities that we can infer out of the text are that Beowulf is a monster, but not a regular monster, a greedy one that wants fame over his comrades. Let's take a look at this text: “Grendel snatched at the first Geat He came to, ripped him apart, cut His body to bits with powerful jaws, Drank the blood from his veins and bolted Him down, hands and feet; death And Grendel’s great teeth came together, Snapping life shut” (Beowulf 262 – 268).  In this quote we can see that Beowulf would do anything to maintain his name up high, meaning that if he needs to let one of his friends die, he will.  Thus, making him a monster as Grendel, but with different ideals .Beowulf and Grendel are the strongest man-beast and we can infer this, because when the text says “The monster’s Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: He slipped through the door and there in the silence Snatched up thirty men, smashed them Unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies” (Beowulf 34-38) “And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” (Beowulf 111).

      The major differences between Beowulf and Grendel that we can infer are that Grendel is portrayed like the evil and Beowulf as the hero that will force out the evil. This is clearly shown in the text:  “A brood forever opposing the Lord’s Will” (Beowulf 28-29) and “Behind some broad linden shield: my hands Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life Against the monster. God must decide Who will be given to death’s cold grip.” (Beowulf 173-175). In this two quotes we can see how the characters are shown differently. Another strong difference would be that Beowulf kills for glory:  “I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters Out of the ocean, and killing them one By one; death was my errand and the fate They had earned.” (Beowulf 155-159). On the other hand, Grendel kills either for food or only to have fun:  “The monster’s Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: He slipped through the door and there in the silence Snatched up thirty men, smashed them Unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, The blood dripping behind him, back To his lair, delighted with his night’s slaughter” (Beowulf 34-40).

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