Dialectical Journal

I think that Beowulf is a symbol of God. Or at least he symbolizes a god to his people and Danes. He comes in and kills all three beasts that were causing trouble when no one else can kill them. He is the greatest fighter anyone had ever known. He is the savior of the people. Many times when they refer to Beowulf in the story they also refer to god. Pg. 63 line 928“I suffered a long harrowing by Grendal. But the Heavenly Shephard can work His wonders always and everywhere.”

Pg. 63 Line 941 “Whoever she was who brought forth this flower of manhood, if she is still alive , that woman can say that in her labour the Lord of Ages bestowed a grace on her.”
Hrothgar says this about Beowulf’s mother. This is basically saying that Beowulf was blessed from birth. He was born to be a great fighter and then only one that can kill Grendal and his Mother who have been cursed by god.

Grendal’s mother remains nameless, and so does Hrothgar’s sister, she is the only one of her three siblings who they don’t tell us her name. And even though Grendal’s mother is an important character she still doesn’t have a name. This represents the role of women. The women’s name’s don’t matter because they are just used as people to serve men. But Grendal’s mother represents what a woman should not be like because she collects Wergild and is evil but yet, she still is nameless. Women have no respect.

Pg. 89 Line 1259 “Grendal’s mother, mostorous hell-bride…”
Grendal’s mother, cursed by god, evil, symbolizes a devil-like figure. Her lair, at the bottom on the ocean is hell. She is like the devil’s bride.

Pg. 95 Line 1355 “They are fatherless creatures…”
This is referring to the creatures that are the offspring of Cain. They have no God. God will not accept them, in fact he has bashished them and cursed them. They will never go to heaven. They live in hell while on earth, and will go to hell when they die.