How Does Beowulf Define Evil

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Definition of Evil
Throughout history, there have been many meanings of the word "evil," which originated in the Germanic language. According to Google.com, the word evil can be used as a noun and be defined as the wicked or immoral part of someone or something. It can also be used as an adjective and be characterized by misfortune of suffering. Words such as "wicked", "immoral", and "sinful" can also be used interchangeably with the word evil, while words like "virtuous", "beneficial", and "pleasant" are antonyms of the word evil. For the purposes of argument, I will use the definition evil to mean the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin. Traits of evil can be exemplified in both the epic poem Beowulf and …show more content…

The monster, Grendel, demonstrates a perfect example evil when he killed many of the Danes in their own mead hall. The scops say that Grendel:
Snatched up thirty men, smashed them
Unknowingly in their beds and ran out
With their bodies, the blood dripping behind him, back
To his lair, delighted with his night's slaughter (37-40).
In this passage, we can see that the evil deeds take place at the loss of another person's happiness. Grendel was only pleased after he had taken the lives of many men. The Danes "lived happy [lives] in this hall"(15) before Grendel attached and murdered the warriors. This is simply one example of how evil is always trying to overcome the happy, optimistic ways in which people live their daily lives. The second time Grendel attacked the Mead hall, he also exemplified the force of evil that caused pain and suffering to the Danes. The scops say:
Grendel came again, so set
On Murder that no crime could ever be enough,
No savage assault quench his lust
For evil …show more content…

This short story told from the point of view of a man named Montresor, who decides to seek revenge on Fortunato, a man who had in some way insulted Montresor. To get Fortunato to trust Montresor, the latter uses cunning qualities that are characteristics of evil. He exemplifies these qualities when he says: it must be understood, that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. I continued, as was my want to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation (432; par.

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