Examples Of Heorot In Beowulf

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When translated, the word “Heorot” means “hart;” hart is an adult buck, or male deer. The majestic creature lives its life being hunted by something or someone. As deer are hunted, Grendel, the demonic creature in Beowulf, constantly hunts the Danes in their mead hall, Heorot. Beowulf is called to fight Grendel and save the Danes, so they can live their lives in peace. After the vigorous fight between Beowulf and Grendel, the warriors were left victorious and celebrated with a feast. “The benches filled with famous men / who fell to with relish; round upon round / of mead was passed; those powerful kinsmen, / Hrothgar and Hrothulf, were in high spirits / in the raftered hall. Inside Heorot / there was nothing but friendship. The Shielding …show more content…

During their feast, they confess their beliefs in God and bond spiritually. The narrator of the poem shows sorrow for the pagan ancestors simply because they are bitter and come from a line of jealousy. Grendel is an ancestor of the pagan god Cain; Cain was jealous of his brother Abel because God favored Abel’s sacrifice over Cain’s, so he decided to kill his brother. “The Almighty Judge / of good deeds and bad, the Lord God / Head of the Heavens and High King of the World / was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he / who in time of trouble has to thrust his soul / in the fire’s embrace, fortifying help; / he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he / who after death can approach the Lord / and find friendship in the Father’s embrace,” (Beowulf, 15) The narrator is expressing his sorrow for the pagan ancestors because they did not know the Almighty God himself and they were raised in a home of pure jealousy and hatred. He is happy that the Danes and Geats practice their love for the Lord together; and he hopes that the pagan people will eventually meet God and bask in his glory. The narrator believes that, one day, everyone will meet God, and being that Heorot is considered Heaven on Earth, they are one step

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