Beowulf LRJ #2

An important value in their society was revenge. Fighting and warfare were things that were admired and honored and revenge goes right along with them. "'Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning" (Heaney 1384-1385). This shows how one was expected not to mourn the death of a loved one but to immediately seek revenge. There are many other places where revenge takes place in the story but one specific instance is when Grendel's mother gets involved in the fighting. "He died in battle, paid with his life; and now this powerful other one arrives, this force for evil driven to avenge her kinsman's death" (Heaney 1337-1340). Grendel's mother wanted revenge for what Beowulf did to Grendel but the Danes wanted revenge on Grendel just as much. "The warrior determined to take revenge for every gross act Grendel had committed" (Heaney 1577-1578). This shows how large a role revenge played in people's actions. Another key value is bravery. Bravery was a very respectable attribute in their society and the men were expected to display it and face Grendel, even when they didn't stand a chance. The reader can tell how honorable it was to be brave because of how respected Beowulf was for the courage he displayed. "Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death; his mighty, hand forged, fine-webbed mail would soon meet with his menace underwater" (Heaney 1402-1404), and when he returned from battle, "His courage was proven, his glory was secure" (Heaney 1646). He showed everyone how brave a single man can be and proved to them how brave he was.

It is unrealistic when Beowulf swims to the bottom of the lake to fight Grendel's mom. "Without more ado, he dived into the heaving depths of the lake. It was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom" (Heaney 1494-1496). It it not possibly for a person to hold their breath for a whole day but this makes Beowulf seem even more powerful than he already is. It makes the reader feel like Beowulf is invincible and nothing can ever stop him. Beowulf's strength is another part of the story that is unrealistic. "Hygelac's kinsman kept him helplessly locked in a hand grip" (Heaney 812-813). The fact that Beowulf is strong enough to hold on to a creature this large and dangerous in itself but on top of that he is able to make "shrews split and the bone-lappings burst" (Heaney 816-817). This is not humanly possible, especially to a beast like Grendel but it gives the reader an awe of Beowulf and makes the story more entrancing with all of Beowulf's feats.

A powerful quote in Beowulf is, "The warrior determined to take revenge forevery gross act Grendel had committed -- and not only for that one occasion when he'd come to slaughter the sleeping troops, fifteen of Hrothgar's house-guards surprised on their benches and ruthlessly devoured, and as many again carried away, a brutal plunder" (Heaney 1577-1584). This is so meaningful becauseas well as making Beowulf seem very heroic in wanting to repay Grendel for what he has done, it adds to the evilness of Grendel. It makes the reader picture such a horrendous thing happening and enforces the negative feelings one has towards Grendel.