What happens in chapter 12 of Beowulf?
Beowulf hurls Grendel against a table and then a wall, demanding that Grendel observe the hardness of the wall. He continues to smash Grendel against the walls, breaking his forehead open. Suddenly realizing that he will die, Grendel stumbles out of the hall and into the darkness of the night.
What was Beowulf’s faith?
Although the poet can’t get away from the fact that his hero, Beowulf, would have been a pagan, he can suggest that Beowulf’s trust in God translates easily into a Christian context. The only specific references to Christian stories are some shout-outs to the Old Testament story of Cain and Abel.
Who kills for 12 winters in Beowulf?
a Grendel killed 30 men the first night he attacked Herot, and he attached Herot for 12 winters (12 years) He could not touch King Hrothgar’s throne because he and his throne were protected by God Almighty. Grendel has not been challenged before Beowulf arrives.
What does the phrase twelve winters mean?
Metonymy is often used in Beowulf to describe a character or a setting. For example, the term “twelve-winters’ time” is used to describe the twelve years of Hrothgar’s suffering caused by Grendel. Or the use of the word crown to represent a king.
Who is Grendel conceived from?
How was Grendel conceived, and where is he required to live? He descended from Cain’s clan. Cain ending up killing Abel and the Almighty made a curse and out of the curse monsters arose from it. He was required to live in hell.
What keeps Grendel’s mother from killing Beowulf?
Beowulf sees Grendel’s mother in a cave. He tries to hit her with his sword, Unferth’s Hrunting, but it fails to pierce her skin. She tries to kill him with a dagger, but Beowulf’s armor protects him this time.
What does Grendel say before he dies?
Animals have gathered around to watch him die with “mindless, indifferent eyes.” Grendel dies; with his last words, he says that he has had an accident and spitefully tells the rest of the world, “So may you all.” With his dying words, Grendel clings to his understanding of the world and denial of heroism.
What happens to Beowulf at the end of the story?
In the end, Beowulf gains a massive treasure from the dragon’s lair and faces death bravely. Also interesting is that fate seems to have determined that Beowulf is deserving of vast treasure. According to Anglo-Saxon ideals, fate controls the events in the world.
What are the Christian beliefs in Beowulf?
Beowulf and Christian Beliefs. When God discovered this, Cain was then cursed. The belief is that the descendants of Cain are monsters and ”ill-favored creatures.” When Hrothgar is presented a sword, he realizes that this sword came from the race of the giants. Hrothgar points out that this race was killed by God in the great flood.
How does Beowulf reconcile fate and the hand of God?
When Beowulf wins a fight, the concepts of fate and the hand of God are reconciled by mentioning both as being the reasons for the victory. The idea of fate is reconciled by adding that the battle was won through the power of the Lord, or that God will reward as He has in times past, and that you must be in agreement with the will of the Lord.
What is the theme of Beowulf’s battle with the Dragon?
When Beowulf goes to fight the final dragon, his companions need urging onward, so they’re told that they would have much to gain by going with their lord into battle. This same idea is used frequently in Christianity: as Christians go with the Lord into battle against sin, they will be rewarded greatly.