And we have the god of the waxing year in Beowulf. In the scenario in this passage we have the god of the waning year in Grendel. Along similar lines, this line marks Beowulf as fate’s agent.Īctually, in light of what I’ve read in Robert Graves’ The White Goddess, the triangle that line 734 sets up is rather interesting.Ĭentral to Graves’ book is the idea that the single poetic theme, the one thing that all true poetry is about in infinite variation, is the struggle between the king of the waning year and the king of the waxing year for the hand or approval of the goddess (in her form as maid). As fate’s agent in so far as Beowulf is the one fated to bring about the end of Grendel’s feasting (as is fated), this line is like a group of heralding trumpets announcing his arrival.

As such, I think it serves a few purposes.įirst off, I think that line 734 helps to being the focus back to Beowulf. I think that this line is central to this passage and the scene in which it occurs. Grendel’s glee continues into this passage and we’re given the reason for it: Grendel believes he’s in for a feast since there’s an entire group of young warriors sleeping in the hall.īut then we’re told that such wasn’t set as fate on line 734.

Limb and life, expected he a lavish feast The terrible fierce assailant, from each one “…intended he to sever, before the day returned, Grendel’s glee is given clear reason, fate rushes in, and Beowulf looks on - waiting. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. Skelton – Marshall, Henrietta Elizabeth ( 1908) Stories of Beowulf, T.C. Grendel is described as “Very terrible to look upon.” Stories of beowulf grendel” by J.

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