Based on my reading of lines 90-188 in Beowulf, it is my understanding the poem relies heavily on Christian religious beliefs and doctrine, not just because of the allusions within the reading, but because of what those allusions suggest on a deeper, fundamental level. Not only does the poet refer to Biblical characters, but he models his own characters after them.
When the poet introduces the monster Grendel, he tells readers that “the Creator had condemned him among Cain’s race” (Lines 106-107) which is an obvious reference to the story of Cain and Abel that is told in the Biblical book of Genesis. The connection within the reading is obvious because the poet refers openly to both Cain, Abel, and the Lord’s punishment. Upon further reflection within the Bible verses that the poet makes reference to, however, it seems that Grendel may be not only related to Cain, but modeled directly after him as well. In a sense, Grendel is Cain. In Genesis 4:14, Cain complains about his punishment to God, saying, “Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” This immediately made me think of Grendel, who, according to the poet, was a “mighty stalker of the marches, who held the moors and fens…” (Lines 103-104). Moors and fens are most commonly low, marshy, inhabitable places that flood frequently. Humans don’t usually live in these areas for obvious reasons. The poem also tells us that God’s “lordly” people lived in a “bright and shining plain…in joy” (Lines 93-99). These details lead me to believe that Grendel, like Cain, has been made to live on the outskirts, away from God’s people and God’s presence, as a wanderer. This aligns Grendel with Cain, and thus, can be seen as a subtle hint of foreshadowing for Grendel’s death. Cain tells God that he knows that whoever finds him will kill him, which is exactly what happens to Grendel when Beowulf finds him. Cain is punished by God because he murders Abel, and Grendel is punished by Beowulf because he murders Hrothgar’s men. This leads me to ask myself… Is Beowulf a God figure within the poem?
The poet tells readers that Hrothgar’s men, desperate to stop Grendel’s reign of terror, “offered honor to idols at pagan temples, prayed aloud that the soul-slayer might offer assistance,” (Lines 171-188). A “soul-slayer,” according to Liuzza, is the Devil (Liuzza page 61). This does nothing to aid them against Grendel. The poet also tells us that the men did not know God and could expect “no comfort, no way to change” because of that (Lines 185-186). We as readers know that Grendel’s murders will not cease until Beowulf comes to the rescue, which further casts Beowulf into that Godly role. Worshiping demons did not help Hrothgar’s men and they will receive no comfort until later in the poem when Beowulf arrives to save them.
Thus, in my reading of lines 90-188 in Beowulf, Grendel is a representative of Cain and Beowulf is a representative of God. The poet offers direct allusions to these characters within the poem. Deeper analysis of those allusions, however, suggest that, not only is the poet using Cain and God’s avengement of Abel as references within the poem, but that his characters are modeled after them.
