Grendel

Grendel is one of three antagonists in the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf, feared by all save Beowulf himself. Within the poem, he is described by many different terms: orc, ent, ettin, and scather not the least of them.

Related Topics:
Antagonist - Anglo-Saxon - Beowulf - Beowulf - Orc - Ent - Ettin - Scather

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The nature of Grendel's identity is something of a conundrum due in large part to his descent from the biblical Cain, the first murderer. For many scholars, this justifies a monstrous appearance. It also supports the ideas of scholars who have connected the image of Grendel with that of a troll. This idea may be founded in the word , "eoten" or "ettin" which Klaeber (1950) defines as "giant" but has been elsewhere defined as "troll." In addition, certain folktales in the Oral tradition of the time perpetuated this image and scholars believe that it may have had an impact upon the poet. However, the evidence is, to date inconclusive one way or the other.

Related Topics:
Cain - Oral tradition

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Kuhn (1979) raised questions about the association of any of the above images in connection with Grendel and Grendel's Mother in an essay which would launch fierce (and as of yet unresolved) debates for decades about the term áglaéca:

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"There are five disputed instances of áglaéca 649, 1269, 1512...In the first...the referent can be either Beowulf or Grendel. If the poet and his audience felt the word to have two meanings, 'monster,' and 'hero,' the ambiguity would be troublesome; but if by áglaéca they understood a 'fighter,' the ambiguity would be of little consequence, for battle was destined for both Beowulf and Grendel and both were fierce fighters" (216-7).

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Note: for more on this topic see the article on Grendel's Mother.

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