Grendel’s Mother: Monster or Noble Warrior-Lady?

Some scholars label Grendel’s mother as a demonic monster (e.g., Puhvel 2006, 11-14). The Beowulf- characters certainly do not seem to appreciate Grendel’s mother. In contrast, Beowulf is celebrated. This is odd, because his actions and Grendel’s mother’s actions are similar. The literary term abjection can be used to explain this difference in appreciation. The abject is what the culture throws away, its garbage, or its waste products (see Kristeva 1982; Klages 2012, 11). Paul Acker (2006) uses this theory to argue that Grendel’s mother is the abject. But Grendel’s mother may not be inherently monstrous. Current research has shown more sympathy for Grendel’s mother and her role in Beowulf by pointing out that her perceived monstrosity is to blame on modern translators, lexicographers and literary critics (see Alfano 1992; Hennequin 2008). In fact, the Beowulf-poet describes Grendel’s mother in terms similar to Beowulf. Thus far, scholars have often overlooked these similarities and...Show moreSome scholars label Grendel’s mother as a demonic monster (e.g., Puhvel 2006, 11-14). The Beowulf- characters certainly do not seem to appreciate Grendel’s mother. In contrast, Beowulf is celebrated. This is odd, because his actions and Grendel’s mother’s actions are similar. The literary term abjection can be used to explain this difference in appreciation. The abject is what the culture throws away, its garbage, or its waste products (see Kristeva 1982; Klages 2012, 11). Paul Acker (2006) uses this theory to argue that Grendel’s mother is the abject. But Grendel’s mother may not be inherently monstrous. Current research has shown more sympathy for Grendel’s mother and her role in Beowulf by pointing out that her perceived monstrosity is to blame on modern translators, lexicographers and literary critics (see Alfano 1992; Hennequin 2008). In fact, the Beowulf-poet describes Grendel’s mother in terms similar to Beowulf. Thus far, scholars have often overlooked these similarities and what we can be made of them. This thesis argues that the similarities between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf underscore the poet’s criticism of heroic structures. Rather than Grendel’s mother as the abject, it is the heroic structures that are the abject. By pointing out the similarities and what they imply, this thesis shows that the term ‘monster’ assigned to Grendel’s mother can easily be applied to Beowulf too, because their behavior is similar.Show less

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Grendel’s Mother: Monster or Noble Warrior-Lady?