Revenge: The Theme Of Revenge In Beowulf

Revenge has been used in the same context throughout history. Hundreds of years ago people sought revenge for reasons similar to those of present time. The Oxford English Dictionary has recorded the continuance of the meaning of this term, revenge, as wanting to “repay” a person for their wrongful doings since as early as 1553. Many literal pieces from early time periods have used this word and adjusted it to be a core theme. For example, the early poem, Beowulf, highlights epic revengeful battles between the protagonist and antagonists. The author uses revenge as a motivating component to develop relatable plots and characterizations. The journey of how the protagonist, Beowulf, becomes a noble savoir begins with his battle against the descendant

As Beowulf and the Danes are rejoicing in victory, Grendel returns to his home to take his final breaths. They are unaware of the nameless creature creeping around, ready to haunt them for her son’s death. The narrator explicitly reveals the mother’s dismay when he describes her upcoming actions, “but now his mother had/ sallied forth on a savage journey/ grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge/ she came to Heorot” (1276-1279). Once at Heorot she takes lives in return for the life she lost. Readers can recognize her vengeances when “she had snatched their trophy/ Grendel’s bloodied hand” (1303-1304). She essentially is grieving her son’s death through revenge. She feels the “earls” deserve “a great reversal” and blood for blood should be shed again (1280-1281). Presently, mothers would still act in the same manner if something happened to their child. Thus, her vengeful actions continue to be interpreted the way the author intended and solidifies revenge as a significant component to the

Beowulf is now involved with two battles because of the King’s lack of vigor. Similar to the slaying of Grendel, Hrothgar request to kill Grendel’s mother in return for a reward, “I will compensate you for settling the feud/as I did last time with lavish wealth” (1380-1381). This time, the battle seems to be more personal because Hrothgar’s “true mentor,” “Aeschere is dead” (1323-1325). He speaks of Grendel’s mother with antipathy and describes her as a “killer” who “slaughtered” a “wise man and a friend” (1329-1331). Ironically, he refers to her as “force for evil, driven to avenge her kinsman’s death” (1339-1340). Differing from the previous battle, he warns Beowulf because he knows the strength the mother possesses from her anger and need of vengeance, “Seek if you dare.” He also says, “If you come back,” which stresses the difference between this battle and the one with Grendel. Readers can conclude that Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mother is more personal and risky. Beowulf, in return, advises to the king, “do not grieve. It is always better/to avenge dear ones than indulge in mourning,” which contradicts Hrothgar’s depiction of Grendel’s mother as an “evil force” because she is “driven to avenge her kinsman’s death” (1384-1385). Hrothgar finds the killing of Grendel acceptable, but not the killings that Grendel’s mother commits. Both actions were motivated by