![]() ![]() What I’ve translated as “body” is “lic”, after all, a word that is hard to disassociate from the notion of a physical form (since it generally means “body” or “corpse” and is the root of the Modern English word “lich,” referring to a sort of zombie). Though there’s the implication that Grendel’s morale took a serious hit. Yet, the monster’s “body slithered out,” suggesting that he lithely escaped Beowulf (l.967). Though not so powerful as Grendel is made out to be.īecause as a boaster and storyteller Beowulf knows his way around suspense, we’re told by our hero that he had Grendel in a grasp designed to kill the fiend. So Beowulf’s defeating Grendel suggests that his fellow Geats are also quite powerful and formidable. I mean, it’s what would happen with Anglo-Saxon social groups with treasure, so why not with glory, too? After all, the actions of the leader reflect upon that leader’s followers. It’s a curious idea, if you think about it. Almost as if, being a warrior but not yet a leader with a castle and treasure of his own, all he has to share out among his band is that glory. His team that was, as far as the poet told us, not even really around for the start of the fight and not really all that effective by the time that they came in to help. He doesn’t put the brunt of the glory on himself, but on his team of Geats. He says that “we” defeated Grendel (l.958). The first thing that struck me about this passage is Beowulf’s first word. Prevent him from going, nor could I then firmly enough grasp him, Lie struggling for life, but his body slithered out.įor I might not, though god willed it not, To bind him then and there to his death bed, The enemy entangled and exhausted to the point of death! ‘We that brave deed did with much good will,Ĭarried out the fight, daringly risked ourselvesĪgainst strength unknown. Beowulf speaks of his fight with Grendel and the monster’s god-defying strength. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |