![]() In the feud between god and the kin of Cain it's not exactly clear how long it's been since a blow was struck against god, and so taking thirty thanes might be Grendel's way of evening things out. Perhaps this action of seizure, along with showing that Grendel is overly litigious, also suggests that Grendel is merely carrying on a feud, taking what is legally his, or doing so with the force of the law behind him. So Grendel seized the thirty thanes in a legal way. The Anglo-Saxon word for "seized" on line 122, "genam," means just that "seized." However, it's not a word that was used on a day to day basis, rather, it's from the Anglo Saxon legal vocabulary. But, this emotion is tempered by something, at least in the way the poet describes it, more reasoned. Unlike the Anglo-Saxons' (likely) understanding of animals, Grendel has some degree of emotional feeling and seems like he's capable of planning ahead. Almost as if he sees the thirty there and immediately begins to fantasize about a possible future wherein he's devouring/stealing them all away. Grendel is excitable and, perhaps because of the poetry used, it seems as if he glowers over the sight of the thanes. His enthusiasm for the slaughter also suggests some parts of his personality. So Grendel's motives can be more complex than simply hunger or rage. He's the kin of Cain, sure, but that doesn't remove a thinking brain from his body. This self knowledge means that Grendel isn't just a rampaging beast, but is something more. The very first clause of the extract is "knew he then what he sought" ("Gewat ða neosian" (l.115)). But in them, there's also something said about Grendel's character.įirst off, immediately we're told that Grendel is capable of self-knowing. Grendel's terrifying assault on Heorot is told of in these lines. With that slaughter he returned to his dwelling." Sleeping fast after the feast - they knew no sorrow, ![]() "Knew he then what he sought, once night fell,Īfter beer-drinking would be stayed there Grendel breaks into Heorot after a feast, and seizes thirty thanes, whom he handily devours.
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