Monstrous figures in literature and culture

¶ … Beowulf, Grendel, and Grendel's Mother Monstrous?

To be monstrous is to be something other than human, but monstrous means more than extraordinary; it is a term with a bad or evil connotation, so that those who are monstrous are not only outside of the realm of the average human being, but also outside of it in a negative way. In the novel Beowulf, one encounters three different characters who have some characteristics one would consider monstrous. These three characters are Beowulf, Grendel, and Grendel's mother. However, the three characters receive very different treatment in the book. Beowulf is considered the hero, despite having some of the very same traits as two of the monsters in the book, notably Grendel and Grendel's mother. What makes him a hero while the other two characters are monsters? Understanding this distinction not only helps explain the story of Beowulf, but also gives interesting insight into human definitions of good and evil.

Grendel is the original villain in Beowulf, and, given that he is described physically as a monster, one assumes that he is monstrous. He is described as "the evil creature, grim and hungry" (Breeden). His original home is called a "lair" (Breeden). He is both a descendant of Cain, who is the first known murderer, and described as so evil that he is unable to sit on the throne, even after moving into the hall (Breeden). Moreover, the text specifically describes him as a monster. "He was of a race of monsters / exiled from mankind by God-- / He was of the race of Cain, / that man punished for / murdering his brother. / From that family comes all evil beings-- / monsters, elves, zombies. / Also the giants who / fought with God and got / repaid with the flood" (Breeden). However, while Grendel is described as a demon, a monster, and a descendant of a monstrous bloodline, whether his monstrosity is metaphorical or actual is actually not made clear in the poem. However, his deeds, such as cannibalism, reveal him to be monstrous, even if his form is human. Everyone fears him, he kills without discretion, and he kills without using armor or weapons.

While Grendel himself may be characterized as a monster by his deeds, his mother defies such easy characterization. While is it undisputed that she attacks Beowulf after he has killed her son, are these the actions of a monster, or the actions any mother would take to avenge the murder of her child? Clearly, even if she is a monster, she is capable of expressing the maternal protectiveness one associates with human mothers, even if she far more capable of exacting revenge than the typical non-monster female. However, Breeden's translation states that Grendel's mother is a monster. He overtly describes her as a "monster woman" who lives in "the terrible water" (Breeden). Grendel's monstrous ancestry appears to come through his mother, who is also a descendant of Cain. In addition, like her son, Grendel's mother appears to eat her victims (Breeden). She is also apparently more formidable than her son; Beowulf is able to kill Grendel with his bare hands, but is almost defeated by Grendel's mother and needs to use an enchanted sword to kill her. Therefore, while she may have a maternal instinct one might not think would be present in a monster; this translation leaves little doubt as to her monstrosity.