Why did Grendel attack the Danes?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the reasons behind Grendel's attacks on the Danes in the epic poem Beowulf. It requires an exploration of the character of Grendel and the themes of conflict in the story.
Answer
Grendel attacked out of jealousy and rage over the Danes' happiness and prosperity.
The final answer is Grendel attacked the Danes because he was jealous and enraged by their happiness, riches, and boasting, and sought to attack them in their place of perceived safety, their mead hall.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is Grendel attacked the Danes because he was jealous and enraged by their happiness, riches, and boasting, and sought to attack them in their place of perceived safety, their mead hall.
More Information
Grendel's attacks were motivated by his feelings of jealousy and resentment towards the Danes' joy and communal celebrations.
Tips
A common mistake is to attribute Grendel's attack to random evilness. Understanding the emotional motivations behind his actions provides a deeper comprehension of the story.
Sources
- In Beowulf, why does Grendel attack the Danes? - Study.com - homework.study.com
- Beowulf Grendel Attacks (Lines 86–193) Summary & Analysis - LitCharts - litcharts.com
- Beowulf for Beginners - Grendel Attacks - abdn.ac.uk
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